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Regional planner presents options for regulating multi‑unit dwellings
Summary
Regional Planner Emily Klofft presented options to the Planning Commission for regulating multi‑unit buildings — larger minimum lot sizes, limits on building footprint, maximum lot coverage or minimum greenspace, and screening/parking layout standards — and agreed to draft zoning language and identify example building footprints for the town.
Regional Planner Emily Klofft presented a memo and spoke to options the town can use to shape the form and impacts of multi‑unit dwellings. The packet noted the town could require larger minimum lot sizes for multi‑unit buildings, which would lower density and increase open space, but cautioned that larger lots can allow larger building footprints, more parking, or undermaintained open space. Commissioners discussed tying a maximum building footprint to the scale of existing local structures as a way to preserve neighborhood character.
The memo recommended maximum lot coverage limits or a minimum required greenspace percentage to preserve per‑lot landscaped area and reduce stormwater impacts. It also suggested screening and lot layout standards to locate parking and service areas away from neighbors. Emily was asked to draft zoning language that would illustrate these options and to identify square footage for representative buildings in Montgomery so the commission can evaluate numeric standards against local examples.
The commission discussed incentivizing conversions of existing buildings to additional housing units rather than encouraging new construction — for example, providing waivers or adjustments for conversions — and deferred a first pass at definitions to the next meeting.
