Planning Commission Subcommittee Draft Project Definition
Infill development is new residential construction in established areas of the city. Infill can be accomplished by developing a remnant vacant or redevelopable lot, by dividing an existing lot into smaller pieces such as flag lots or alley access lots, or by developing additional housing units on an existing developed lot. Infill compatibility standards are tools that can regulate the amount, form, and appearance of new residential development in established areas. Regulations will codify clear and objective infill standards based on public involvement, technical analysis, and policy direction.
Infill Compatibility Standards Draft Challenge Statement
Infill
Compatibility Standards (ICS) is a project aimed at addressing the
impacts of residential infill development. The city’s neighborhoods
differ in such characteristics as development pattern, street pattern,
block and lot layout, topography, natural environment, distance from
the urban core, access to transportation options, surrounding land
uses, and predominant architectural style. However, with a few
exceptions in Special Area Zones, infill in most neighborhoods is
regulated by base zone standards (setbacks, height limits, lot coverage
limits) that may not fully address the neighborhood’s defining
characteristics. As a result, some infill projects have been built
that are described by neighboring property owners as having negative
impacts on nearby residents. The project includes describing,
categorizing, and addressing those impacts in the most effective way
possible and demonstrating positive infill examples, while considering
the impacts on the city’s growth pattern as a whole.
Growth Management Policies
The
adopted Growth Management Policies (GMPs) direct the city to encourage
infill development and increase housing density while maintaining the
character and livability of individual neighborhoods. This project
seeks to implement the policy directives in the GMPs.
Citizen Interest
The Planning Division is
experiencing a very high level of citizen interest in both the Infill
Compatibility Standards and the Opportunity Siting projects. Over the
last year, issues related to neighborhood character, neighborhood
involvement, and residential compatibility have risen to the top of
citizen concerns and desires for Planning Division work. Planning
staff are committed to making these high-priority work tasks a success.