Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/23/2006

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Git- o R SEYI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Detached Townhouses By: Breanne Dalnes, Associate Planner Background: Council directed staff to do background research on detached townhouses due to the influx in applications for detached townhouses, villas, cottage homes, and bungalows. While not specifically outlined or defined in city codes, many municipalities have approved detached townhonses under Planned Unit Developments to allow for greater flexibility and to accommodate market demand for association-maintained housing and smaller lots. Detached townhonses vary in size, price, and style. The single similarity throughout all detached townhonse developments is that the property surrounding the unit is held in common ownership and association-maintained. Most are single-level, targeted toward empty-nesters and seniors, although there are some exceptions. The association-maintained status could allow for a compromise on lot size, due to the fact that one entity is responsible for maintenance and enforcement of roles established through the homeowners' associatior~ By changing the definition of townhonse, we can resolve the confusion and conflict in City Code with this style of housing. However, this change should be coupled with the adoption of development standards for detached townhouses, unless all developments are approved through planned-unit-development. An altemative to changing the definition of "townhouse" is to define "detached townhoase" separately. There would still be a need to establish performance standards for this type ofhonsing. Action Statement: Determine if clianges should be made to Chapter Nine's definitions and R-2 development standards and if so, what those changes should Iook like. Direct staff' about how to analyze applications for detached townhonses (through PUD or development of R-2 Slandards). Attachmenls: Proposed Standards for R-2, with Detached Townhouses Proposed Definitions CCWS: 5.23.06