Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Unified Development Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses smaller lot sizes and state rule changes as staff frames UDO rewrite
Summary
Staff briefed the council on proposed UDO changes to simplify residential districts and asked whether the city should allow smaller minimum lot sizes; staff noted recent state legislation that staff said allows homes under 2,500 sq ft to be built on 3,000 sq ft lots and asked for council input on greenfield vs. infill standards.
City planning staff presented a roadmap for the Unified Development Ordinance rewrite and asked for council feedback on dimensional standards, including whether to allow smaller minimum lot sizes for single-family homes. Staff noted that the city's base R-1 lot size is currently 8,000 square feet and that draft options would consider lower minimums to increase housing flexibility.
"Section 3 allows for new regulations around homes if they're under 2,500 square feet. I think the pertinent tonight is that the legislation does identify that it would allow lots at 3,000 square feet or more," staff member Bruce said while framing questions for council. He asked whether the UDO should set a simplified minimum floor or include multiple tiered options for different lot sizes and whether standards should differ for greenfield versus infill development.
Council members expressed a mix of support and caution: some favored smaller lots and a simpler minimum to encourage infill and reduce sprawl, while others urged further technical analysis of stormwater, infrastructure capacity and neighborhood compatibility before adopting new minimums. Several councilmembers suggested allowing a minimum standard while leaving market-driven variation, and at least one member recommended additional examples and data from staff before formal drafting.
