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Troy council amends zoning to let homeowners rebuild nonconforming detached garages in R1E
Summary
Council approved a text amendment to Zoning Ordinance ZOTA-259 allowing nonconforming detached accessory buildings in R1E to be reconstructed within the same footprint so long as nonconformity does not increase; the Planning Commission recommended approval 8–0.
Troy City Council on July 27 approved a zoning text amendment (file ZOTA-259) intended to reduce barriers for homeowners seeking to replace aging detached garages on substandard R1E lots.
Community Development Director Brent Sabavan told the council that the city identified large numbers of nonconforming lots in older subdivisions and that the proposed language would allow ‘‘nonconforming detached accessory buildings with an existing side and or rear yard setback of less than 6 feet [to] be reconstructed within the same nonconforming building footprint, provided it doesn't increase in nonconformity.’’ Sabavan said the change aims to allow homeowners to rebuild aging garages without repeatedly seeking variances.
Staff presented data showing pockets of the city with many lots smaller than the current R1E minimums (Sabavan cited roughly 4,403 R1E lots citywide and more than 750 appearing nonconforming in width or area). The Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval 8–0; the council approved the amendment on a unanimous roll-call vote after brief questions about outreach to affected residents and the threshold for requiring rebuilding to meet current standards (damage beyond 60% of replacement value triggers nonconforming status loss).
Councilmember Blum moved the measure and Councilmember Chamberlain supported it. Staff said they will coordinate outreach about the change and consult registries and community channels to notify potentially affected homeowners.
