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Council advances zoning change to allow 50‑foot lot frontages in some single‑family zones
Summary
After a public hearing, the council approved first consideration of an amendment to chapter 165 to reduce minimum lot-frontage requirements in specified single‑family districts from 60 to 50 feet to permit redevelopment and reduce infrastructure costs.
The Manchester City Council closed a public hearing and advanced first consideration of ordinance 12 to amend site‑development regulations and minimum lot widths in chapter 165 of the city code. Tim, who presented the ordinance, said the change would allow certain R1 single‑family classifications to use a 50‑foot frontage minimum in appropriate circumstances.
Tim told the council that the change is intended to provide flexibility in older parts of town and in cul‑de‑sacs or corner lots where frontage is constrained; Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. He said a primary rationale is cost: extending water, sewer and streets can push average infrastructure costs per lot to about $57,000 based on recent projects, and narrowing lot frontages can reduce those costs and help make lots more affordable.
Council members had no public speakers to the hearing and voted to advance the ordinance on first consideration. The amendment permits developers to continue using R2 zoning or larger lots if they prefer; it does not mandate redevelopment or change allowable uses beyond the adjusted frontage minimum.
What’s next: the council advanced the ordinance to the next reading for continued consideration and possible final adoption.
