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Committee tightens housing plan language, debates density, green space and ADUs
Summary
The committee revised multiple draft housing policies—removing 'high-density' from H-1, proposing firmer feasibility-study language for H-4, and discussing xeriscaping, ADUs, and replatting large-lot subdivisions to guide where denser development should be located.
Committee members worked through draft housing policies in Sections 6–8 of the Greater Rigby plan and proposed specific wording changes to clarify the county’s approach to growth and infrastructure needs. Jim Gerdes asked that the term "high-density" be removed from Policy H-1 and urged that H-4 be revised from a permissive to a firmer requirement for feasibility studies; after discussion staff agreed to strengthen the language. "H-1 and H-4 kind of run together and I want to encourage reasonable growth in designated areas where it is supported," Gerdes said.
Members also discussed allowing smaller lot minimums tied to green-space requirements, using xeriscaping as an alternative to conventional green space, and whether accessory dwelling units (ADUs) should remain in the plan. Planner Jenna Huennekens explained that ADUs are allowed in multiple zones and that changing the term 'residential' to 'subdivision' in some policies could produce clearer ordinance alignment. Staff and the committee also revised H-7 to propose re-platting existing large-lot subdivisions (one acre or greater) into smaller lots consistent with suburban neighborhood design where water, sewer and transportation infrastructure can support it.
