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Committee debates density, annexation and whether affordable housing fits in county jurisdiction
Summary
Members questioned whether R‑1 lots should be allowed to split into smaller parcels and whether affordable housing belongs in county areas without city services; staff said density near city limits is appropriate but that sewer, water and roads must be resolved first, and that annexation rules typically require property owner consent.
Committee members pressed whether existing 1‑acre R‑1 parcels could be subdivided into 0.5‑acre lots and whether the working group should consider that as part of the comprehensive plan.
"Is that something that this committee is going to discuss?" one committee member asked. Josh said splits of existing parcels have occurred elsewhere and that allowing them locally would be a policy choice to include in the comprehensive plan but would depend on infrastructure availability. He added: "It is possible to do" but emphasized sewer, water and roads must be answered before higher density is practical.
Participants also questioned how county policies would hold up against city annexation. Josh recommended area‑of‑impact agreements and coordinated zoning between county and city as the mechanism to align goals and avoid policy erosion when properties seek annexation. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; staff will incorporate committee feedback into draft guiding principles and return them for review.
