Huntington planning commission forwards Title 9 zoning amendments, including flag-lot rules and ADU table, to public hearing

The Huntington City Planning Commission on June 11 agreed to forward a package of proposed Title 9 zoning amendments to a public hearing, including new flag-lot standards, a condensed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) summary table and multiple technical codification corrections.

Jessica Lee, Huntington zoning administrator, presented the proposed flag-lot language developed with Todd Thorn of SERDA and outlined where the regulations would be added to the city code (definitions 9-2-2, the conditional use table 9-8-2 and a new section 9-7-1.9). Commissioner Patrick Fehlberg recommended reducing the proposed maximum flag access distance from 250 feet to 175 feet; commissioners discussed trade-offs between fitting flag lots into established town blocks and avoiding them on large outskirts parcels. The commission agreed the Flag Lot Regulations should state that "the combined access and frontage distance shall not exceed two hundred (200) feet." (Jessica Lee).

The commission also reviewed a proposed ADU Summary Table to sit immediately after Section 9-17-3 that condenses ADU requirements into a single reference. Lee said the table would include a conflict clause noting that the code text prevails over the table. Commissioners expressed concern that inconsistent distance figures could confuse residents; the commission resolved the flag-lot standard and the ADU table would be harmonized by capping the combined access/frontage distance at 200 feet.

City Recorder Brandy Wagner reported several technical issues identified during codification. The commission agreed to insert February 21, 2007 as the adoption date for Section 9-1-9(D) (Ordinance 1-2007) and to address placeholders found in definitions. Following a suggestion by Commissioner Patrick Fehlberg to use an established reference date, the commission set June 15, 1976 as the date for the definition of "Structure, Pre-Existing." For "Use, Pre-Existing," the commission defined the term as "a use which validly started within the last 25 years of the current calendar date and has not been abandoned for more than six months." Members also agreed to remove a defunct reference to "9-2i," correct subsection language in 9-7-1.5 to read "may not be constructed or maintained," and delete a redundant subsection 9-10-1(A)(1).

The commission voted to send the package to a public hearing for additional public input and formal consideration. Earlier in the meeting, the commission approved the May 14, 2026 minutes: "PATRICK FEHLBERG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 14, 2026 MINUTES; MOTION SECONDED BY SHANTELLE KAY AND CARRIED." The commission listed a public hearing on the Title 9 amendments on the July 9 agenda.

The planning commission did not adopt the amendments at the June 11 meeting; members directed staff to publish notice and schedule the public hearing so the community can review and comment before any final ordinance action.