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Commission approves zoning change to allow up to 15 dwellings per acre for certain townhome/rowhome designations
Summary
The commission voted to amend the zoning code to raise the maximum permitted density for rowhomes and townhomes from 10 to 15 dwelling units per acre to align the code with the city's comprehensive plan; the measure passed by roll-call vote with five yeas and two nays.
On June 14 the Indianola Planning and Zoning Commission approved a zoning code amendment to increase the maximum density for rowhome and townhome designations from 10 dwelling units per acre to 15 dwelling units per acre.
Staff said the change is intended to align the zoning code with recommendations in the comprehensive plan and to accommodate a prospective workforce housing project that is seeking tax‑credit support. "This is just to align the two documents, increase that the dwelling units from 10 dwelling units per acre up to 15 dwelling units per acre," staff told the commission when introducing the amendment.
Commissioners discussed practical implications and sought local examples to visualize the change. Several members cautioned that achieving 15 units per acre on small infill parcels would be difficult in practice and emphasized that every development would still require site‑plan approval and neighborhood review. A commissioner noted that neighbors east of the ball fields have been concerned about higher density in past proceedings.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the code amendment. The commission approved the amendment in a roll‑call vote; five members voted yes and two voted no. Several commissioners reiterated that the change sets a maximum permissive density rather than an automatic entitlement — site plans, setbacks and other standards still apply and would be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
Next steps: The amendment advances per the usual adoption process; staff said additional examples and graphics could be provided on request to illustrate what 10 vs. 15 dwelling units per acre looks like in local settings.
