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Mounds View Planning Commission August 3, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Farmer commented on how valuable the school district is to Mounds View and he appreciated how ADU’s would provide more vitality to the community. He stated it will be very interesting to see how ADU’s impact property values over time. Commissioner Curtis discussed how his block was turning over from elderly to young families. He anticipated that there was a need for additional housing options for aging seniors. The consensus of the Commission was to direct staff to draft an ADU ordinance. In addition, the Commission agreed to visit YardHomes on Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. B. Multi-Family Residential Zoning Discussion Community Development Director Sevald asked the Commission if twin homes and/or townhomes should be permitted in Single Family neighborhoods. If yes, options are to rezone from R-1 to R-2 (standard practice), or allow two family or multi-family dwellings in the R-1 district as a permitted use (e.g. Minneapolis permits three-unit homes anywhere single-family homes are permitted). There are a number of lots in the R-1 district that are vacant, or double lots, or large but not large enough to subdivide. Periodically, staff receive inquiries if these lots can have a twinhome (duplex) or townhome, or apartment. However, there are several examples where lots are zoned for two-family homes fronting streets in single-family neighborhoods. The general intent of zoning is to separate non-compatible land uses. This separation of zones serves “to protect the public health, safety, and welfare”, but arguably segregates different types of families and households. Commissioner Nelson stated this was an interesting concept noting the Commission was being asked what to allow people to build on their property. Chair Rundle commented on how developers would not propose to build units that were not going to sell. Further discussion ensued regarding the rising price of homes in the metro area and how there was a growing need for single level homes. Commissioner Farmer questioned if it was common to rezone from R-1 to R-2. Community Development Director Sevald stated this has occurred in the past but was not very common. He stated if a rezoning were to occur each project would be considered on a case by case basis. Commissioner Stevenson reported the last R-2 property in Mounds View was the Johnson property and this property had been developed [into Boulevard Apartments]. Chair Rundle stated he would support twinhomes in the R-1 zoning district.