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Administrator Wendy recommends removing SR‑3 and SR‑4 zoning districts to simplify code and spur housing; committee advances change to council
Summary
City staff told the committee that consolidating the rare SR‑3 and SR‑4 districts into SR‑5 would reduce map churn and lower barriers to new housing; the committee voted to recommend the amendment to the full council after brief technical questions about duplex rules and minimum lot sizes.
Administrator Wendy told the committee the measure comes from a planning commission recommendation to simplify the city’s zoning classifications and “reduce barriers to new housing developments.” She said only a single parcel remains in SR‑3, so consolidating to SR‑5 would cut the number of districts the city maintains and make the zoning map cleaner alongside the comprehensive plan update.
Why it matters: Wendy said fewer, clearer zoning districts will limit the need to change the map right after the comprehensive plan is revised. She described the item as “one of the initial ones” planned for roll‑out while staff and the plan commission continue to work on other, more complex zoning updates.
Committee discussion focused on coordination with other zoning items. One member asked for an update on duplex‑related code work; Wendy said the plan commission is still addressing parking and layout concerns and plans to return those items in December after the comprehensive plan draft review. When another member asked whether the code sets a minimum building square footage for single‑family dwellings, Wendy said she did not believe so; a different member clarified that the ordinance specifies a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet.
A motion to recommend removal of SR‑3 and SR‑4 and consolidate to SR‑5 was made, seconded and approved on a roll‑call vote. The clerk recorded three ayes for Alder Miller, Alder Cleveland and Alder McGuire; the committee sent the recommendation to the city council for final action.
Next steps: The council will receive the committee’s recommendation and may hold further readings or public hearings as required by the city’s ordinance process.
