04-14-2021 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 14, 2021 The Community Development Director stated that there some questions that she is looking for feedback from the Council on: 1. Minimum lot size in the R-1 district: Should the minimum lot size for a detached house in the R-1 district be rolled back to what it was previously? It is presently at 11,000 square feet but until 2008 it was 10,000 square feet. Fischer asked how many properties would now be able to split their lot and previously could not. The City Administrator stated there would not be very many. 2. Minimum lot width for detached houses in the R-1 and R-2 districts: Should the minimum lot width for a new detached house in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts be reduced? The R-1 district was a minimum of 75 feet wide until 2008 when it was increased to 85 feet. The minimum lot width in the R-2 district is 75 feet. Keis stated he has no problem with going back to 75-foot lot widths. There was no opposition from the Council to reducing the lot width minimums back to 75 feet. 3. Two-family dwellings in the R-1 zoning district The updated code would allow two-family dwellings as Conditional Uses on corner lots in the R-1 district. The minimum lot size for an R-1 corner lot is 11,000 square feet. The building would have to be judged to be architecturally compatible with others in the immediate vicinity. 4. Increased density for two-family dwellings in the R-2 district Staff has proposed to allow higher densities for two-family buildings in the R-2 district. This change would require a 9,000 square foot lot for a two -unit building instead of presently, a 15,000 square foot lot is needed. This change is proposed in order to promote this housing type as recommended in the comprehensive plan and to be more line with the density regulations of neighboring cities and contemporary practices. 5. Accessory dwelling units in the R-1 district Is the Council comfortable with the idea of allowing detached accessory dwelling units in the R-1 zoning district? The minimum lot size for the existing house would be 15,000 square feet, and there would be regulations addressing maximum floor area, setbacks, total lot coverage, building height, exterior appearance, short term rental, parking, owner -occupancy of the principal dwelling and prohibition of separate sale. McGraw asked why the code would be changed if it only affects a few properties. Mr. Weber stated that the Comprehensive Plan talks about higher density and alternative housing options. Torkelson stated he likes this option and feels it could provide a good option for income, and would like to see what the results and impacts have been in other cities. Fischer stated that his concern is people asking for exceptions because 2