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Planning commission reviews draft overhaul of R3 multifamily zoning; members weigh amenities, private roads and limited commercial uses
Summary
Staff presented a draft rewrite of the R3 zone to split it into density‑tiered RM zones, add design standards (open space, amenities, buffers, pedestrian circulation, bike storage) and a use table; commissioners generally supported the direction while asking for stricter standards for private roads and a limited, carefully defined set of neighborhood commercial uses.
At its July 22 workshop the West Haven Planning Commission reviewed a broad draft rewrite of the city’s R3 multifamily zoning section, with staff proposing to split the single R3 category into density‑based RM zones (RM5, RM8, RM12 and RM24) and to add detailed design and connectivity standards.
Steven, the community development director, walked commissioners through proposed changes including a density table (units per gross acre), a clarified use table, reduced maximum building heights in some designations, a 20 percent minimum open‑space requirement (with reductions for townhome or duplex formats), a sliding scale of required amenities tied to project size, and buffering and orientation rules to reduce the isolating effect of large multifamily complexes. He emphasized new pedestrian circulation and bike‑storage standards and recommended that private roads be allowed only when they meet clear safety and connectivity standards.
Commissioners broadly supported raising design standards to improve the quality and integration of multifamily projects, but they asked staff to define when and what commercial uses (for example small cafes or neighborhood retail) might be allowed in RM designations and to create a specific permitted‑uses table rather than copying C‑zone lists wholesale. Several members urged that private roads be required to meet public‑road safety standards where emergency access or turning radii are concerned.
Steven said the draft is still preliminary; staff will refine use lists, coordinate with parks and engineering on amenity/dedication standards, and consult a long‑range planning contractor and landmark reviewers before returning a revised draft to the commission.
Commissioners took no formal action but asked staff to return with clarified definitions for private roads, a curated neighborhood‑scale commercial use table and additional language on phasing amenities and pedestrian connectivity.
