Date: January 18, 2018
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Review Proposed Changes to N2 Zone District Allowing Tiny Houses and Small Lot Development
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is requested to review proposed changes to regulation of Tiny Houses and provide direction to staff.
Summary Report:
The application of Tiny Houses in Northfield could take at least four different forms; Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Recreational Vehicle Park, Manufactured Home/Tiny House Park, or traditional development in N2 zone. At the request of the Planning Commission, draft Land Development Code (LDC) amendment language has been developed to accommodate and maximize the potential of Tiny Houses in the N2 zone district.
The draft amendment language addresses only one of the options discussed at the December meeting related to traditional development in the Neighborhood General (N2) zoning district. The suggestion was to add a column for Tiny Houses to LDC Table 3.2 2: Site Development Standards for N2 District establishing development standards for this use to reduce lot sizes, allow multiple structures on a parcel, address common facilities, and setbacks.
The draft language (attached) provides an approach for the Planning Commission to consider. The key features are to minimize setbacks and to allow multiple dwellings on a single lot. This approach would accommodate both single-ownership properties and a cluster of tiny houses under a condominium plat. To go a step further, staff is proposing to allow lots to be subdivided with lot frontage allowed on private drives. This would facilitate individual ownership of lots in the village setting. Two examples of this development type are provided here:
It should be noted that this draft language has been shared with the Engineering Department, however a complete review had not been completed. Staff will be meeting to discuss during an upcoming Development R...
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