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Committee debates where to concentrate infrastructure and higher-density housing
Summary
Members agreed higher-density housing should be located where sewer and water service are, and staff noted county code allows up to 20 net units per acre in some zones; the committee discussed language to prevent abrupt transitions between multifamily and single-family areas.
Committee members emphasized that higher-density development should be tied to available infrastructure and utilities. Staff (speaker 6) explained how the county code defines density and utility constraints: "it says 20 units per acre, but it says net density," and noted net density excludes parking and roads from unit counts, which affects how many apartments can be built on a parcel.
Members expressed concern about placing multifamily directly adjacent to single-family neighborhoods and asked for policy language to require buffers, green space or different zoning categories. Staff outlined that specific goals and policies in the housing element will provide the detailed mechanisms (e.g., suburban neighborhood designation, multifamily zone) to separate multifamily uses from single-family uses and align zoning with the comprehensive plan map.
