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Commissioner Kangas urges zoning changes to spur affordable housing
Summary
Commissioner Jon Kangas proposed multiple zoning changes to promote development and expand the tax base, including narrowing lot-width minimums, eliminating most Conditional Use Permits, simplifying lot splits and allowing up to eight dwellings per parcel. The board discussed these ideas and planning staff will return details to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Jon Kangas told the board that easing subdivision and zoning requirements could promote affordable housing and strengthen the county tax base. His recommendations included eliminating Conditional Use Permit requirements in most cases, allowing lots narrower than 300 feet, permitting simple splits without surveys, letting buyers and sellers negotiate surveys and septic designs, increasing the number of allowable splits per parcel (Kangas suggested five, preferring up to eight) and permitting up to eight dwellings per parcel.
Commissioners discussed the trade-offs between faster development and oversight for environmental and infrastructure protections. Kangas emphasized the fiscal importance of development to the county tax base; the board asked the Planning Commission to revisit parcel-split numbers and wetland delineation details as part of the public-hearing process.
