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Commission hears major revisions to cottage‑neighborhood rules and ADU allowances
Summary
Planners expanded cottage‑neighborhood cluster size and eased caps to encourage the new use, added open‑space and buffer rules, and proposed allowing accessory dwelling units up to 1,200 sq. ft. (or 50% of the primary dwelling).
Planning staff said cottage‑neighborhood standards were the most substantive changes in this revision: cluster maximum size would increase from 12 to 16 units, the prior cap limiting developments to two clusters (24 units) would be removed, and a 15‑foot landscape buffer would be required between clusters with pedestrian access through buffers.
Staff also revised how open space is calculated and tied central‑green requirements to lot area to make requirements more predictable. Separately, staff announced the city will allow accessory dwelling units; the proposed cap is 1,200 square feet or 50% of the principal dwelling, whichever is less, and ADUs will not count toward accessory‑structure maximums.
Commissioners asked about acreage needed for scaled developments, parking ratios (1.5 spaces per unit for cottage neighborhoods), and whether builders had expressed interest; staff reported some developer inquiries but no firm proposals yet.
