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Planning commission debates new minimum parcel sizes for rural residential zones
Summary
Commissioners and staff discussed proposed numeric thresholds for rural zones: RR minimum 10 acres, RL 2.5–10 acres and RM under 2.5 acres, weighing impacts on existing 2.5-acre lots and large timber parcels that would become nonconforming.
Committee member (S5) proposed numeric thresholds for county residential zones to clarify what is allowed by right and what requires permits, saying, "So r r minimum should be 10 acres."
Staff (S1) and other commissioners questioned unintended consequences: many existing rural residential parcels are 2.5 acres, and large timber parcels (80–160 acres) currently zoned RR would become nonconforming under the suggested minimums. As one participant put it, "Well, those would be nonconforming. Pre It's just nonconforming." The group discussed allowing subdivision or variance processes (BLA) to ensure lots are buildable rather than rigidly enforcing parcel shapes.
The panel tentatively agreed to the banding S5 suggested—RR greater than 10 acres, RL between 2.5 and 10 acres, and RM at 2.5 acres and under—while asking staff and the consultants to test how many parcels would be affected and to return with ordinance language that avoids creating widespread nonconformities. No formal motions or votes were taken during the discussion.
