Commission hears townhouse code clarifications aimed at flexibility and reduced impervious area

Staff presented targeted amendments to the townhouse sections of the middle‑housing code to improve clarity and flexibility. Changes include new definitions for "townhouse development site," "townhouse lot," and "townhouse structure," elimination of a per‑unit architectural feature requirement in favor of entry orientation and window coverage standards, and clarified rules for parking and access connections that permit shared driveways while preventing parking between a unit and the street.

Staff told the commission the parking standard allows a 12‑foot maneuvering area per townhouse lot (not per structure) and that shared access between structures is allowed to reduce impervious surface. Commissioners asked technical questions about driveway widths, fire marshal review and whether the proposals had been modeled; staff said limited townhouse projects have come through and the updates were informed by consultations and public testimony. The commission indicated support via a unanimous straw poll to move the townhouse changes forward.