PUBLIC HEARING DEC 5TH oN allowing duplexes and triplexes on smaller lots in RS zones

When:  Wednesday, Dec 5, 2018, 7:00 pm
Where:  City Council Chambers, 1st floor of City Hall, 710 NW Wall St.
Purpose:  This is a hearing before the City Council regarding proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code. Included is a proposal to allow duplexes on 6,000 sf lots (reduced from 8,000 sf) and triplexes on 9,000 sf lots (reduced from 10,000 sf) in single-family residential (RS) zones.
Project number:  PZ-18-0825 (hearing packet available in ePlans Public Viewer) 
Contact: (for information and to submit written comments) Pauline Hardie, phardie@bendoregon.gov or 541-693-2153
Summary from Staff Report:  Under the proposal, duplexes and triplexes will be exempt from the maximum density standards in RS zones (4-7.3 units/acre), except when lots are created as part of a new subdivision application. Instead of density limits, the amendments propose regulations (Floor Area Ratio = .6, garage placement standards and front door orientation standards) to ensure duplexes and triplexes develop at a scale compatible with single family homes. The amendments also propose to remove duplexes and triplexes from BDC 2.1.900, Architectural Design Standards.
Analysis:  It is hoped that this change will help address the City’s housing shortage and it has been recommended by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and approved by the Planning Commission. Potential issues:  exempting duplexes and triplexes from any design standards may result in buildings that are out of character with existing single family homes. Also, the impact of potential conversions of single family homes to duplexes or triplexes is unclear, and the new code appears to provide no guidance or requirements for such conversions.
(SEE NOTICE BELOW)