City Council Action Makes Official a Major Overhaul of Local Zoning

In a momentous decision reached on Tuesday evening, the City Council officially approved a comprehensive overhaul of the local zoning code, touted as the first of its kind since the 1960s. The newly instated code introduces a wide range of zones capable of accommodating diverse housing types within the same area, marking a significant shift from the limitations of the previous regulations.

New Zoning Code Promotes Flexibility, Diversity, and Affordability

The new set of ordinances formulates a considerably more flexible zoning code that favors the construction of townhomes, multi-family buildings, and single and two-unit homes on smaller lots. This shift in zoning laws is designed to aid in the development of more affordable housing and augment housing density in the urban core of the city.

Contrarily, the prior zoning code, instituted in 1961, primarily catered to residents desiring to build single-unit homes on large lots. This restricted the city’s potential to accommodate diverse housing needs and proved a challenge for building smaller housing units, ultimately compelling builders to settle for zones that were not always intended to be used in such ways. This model proved inadequate in meeting the current housing shortage.

Comments from the City Leadership

Mayor Tim Kelly expressed his views following the approval of the new code, stating, “We’ve been hard at work since I took office to address the nationwide affordable housing crisis, and this major legislation is another big step in the right direction. It took three hard years of work to get here, but it will be worth it as we build a vibrant city that everyone can afford to live in.”

Significant contributions were made by District 4 Councilman Darrin Ledford as Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Committee. Senior Advisor Chris Anderson further voiced his support for the changes, commenting, “This transformation of our code makes it much easier to respond to the housing needs of the people we serve instead of opposing our own code.”

Key Aspects of the New Code

Officials highlighted the reduction in minimum lot size requirements as a key feature of the revamped zoning code. The previous standard required 7,500 square feet for a single house lot. In contrast, the new code permits single-unit homes on lots measuring just 5,000 square feet in the urban core. This variance will help in increasing the overall supply of housing in areas where infrastructure and capacity already exist.

Additionally, the zoning code now includes several mixed-use zones aimed at sparking revitalization along key corridors. The reformed regulations will encourage suburban developers to build structures closer to these roads while offering parking at the rear and incorporating a residential aspect in commercial projects. This pivot in building form and structure will encourage economic growth and develop additional amenities for residents, thus making the city a more desirable place to live and work.

However, officials have clarified that no property will be automatically rezoned as an outcome of passing the new zoning code. Thus, a mapping process will be conducted to ascertain which properties align with which zoning codes.