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Commission reviews ordinance to add 40% green space and new stormwater rules for residential lots
Summary
Planning staff told the commission an ordinance revision would add a 40% green-space requirement to R1, R2 and AR districts and implement Chapter 56 stormwater/water-quality measures for disturbances over 800 sq ft; the measure is scheduled for a July public hearing and would take effect in August if adopted.
Planning staff presented an ordinance revision to the Brentwood Planning Commission that would add a 40% green-space requirement to several residential zoning districts and impose new stormwater and water-quality requirements for disturbances of 800 square feet or more.
"This ordinance revision adds 40% green space to those other residential districts," a staff member said, explaining the change would extend the green-space requirement currently required in OSRD to R1, R2 and AR zones. The staff member said the Chapter 56 engineering revisions would add stormwater controls for small infill disturbances and encourage on-lot infiltration practices, such as modified French drains or rain gardens, “to capture and keep that initial runoff on the lot itself.”
Commissioners and staff framed the change as primarily a water-quality and stormwater-management measure aimed at mitigating increased runoff from tear-down/rebuild activity in older subdivisions that lack modern detention infrastructure. An agency official described Chapter 56 as providing "a little bit more meat in it," saying it mandates a range of infiltration and water-quality features developers could use to meet requirements.
Some commissioners voiced concerns about effects on property owners and timing. One commissioner said the change would apply to new subdivisions and to tear-downs and rebuilding work, and another raised neighborhood concerns about large new houses and loss of tree cover, saying, "they're gonna build a 10,000 square foot house on a 1 acre lot." Staff noted the 25% maximum building coverage remains in place for roofed area and that some existing lots are unlikely to run afoul of the new green-space rule because other encumbrances—setbacks, stream buffers and PUD conditions—already limit buildable area.
Staff provided a schedule: the ordinance had its first reading on June 8, will appear for commission review on July 6, has a public hearing scheduled for July 13 and a second and final city commission reading set for July 27; if adopted, staff said the ordinance would go into effect in August. The proposal remains subject to further public comment at the July 13 hearing and formal action by the city commission.
