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Commissioners discuss creating R1.5 transitional zone for 1'3-acre lots, utility hookup concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission discussed establishing an R1.5 transitional zoning category for 1'3-acre lots between R1 and R2, considerations for water and sewer hookups, whether a 10+ acre parcel (Jeff Gossen) can be subdivided, and asked staff for cost options and further analysis.
The Harris Planning Commission on Aug. 25 discussed a proposed transitional R1.5 zoning designation to bridge the city's R1 and R2 zones. Commissioners described R1 as smaller, urban lots and R2 as parcels with a minimum size of 5 acres; the proposed R1.5 would permit lots of 1 to 3 acres.
Commissioners raised multiple implementation questions: whether new smaller lots would require immediate hookup to city water and sewer, how Pine Tree Estates had been divided into 1-to-1.5-acre lots in the past, and whether large parcels such as Jeff Gossen's property (described in the minutes as over 10 acres) could be subdivided into smaller lots under the proposed changes. Commissioners expressed a preference for slow, managed growth and emphasized that decisions on where to allow smaller lots should not depend solely on current utility access.
The commission asked staff to provide cost options as part of the ongoing evaluation. Minutes note that future development areas might permit sale of smaller lots without an immediate requirement for sewer or water hookups, but commissioners stressed that utility access should not be the sole determinant of lot size policy.
No formal zoning amendments were adopted at the meeting; the discussion directed staff to return with additional analysis, cost information, and recommendations for next steps.
