The Planning Commission has initiated a review of the City’s residential zoning requirements and proposed substantial amendments to these requirements. Currently, the residential zoning in Stayton establishes minimum lot size and lot width requirements in each residential zone and establishes a maximum residential density standard for each zone. The proposed amendments would replace the minimum lot size-based regulations with density-based regulations, allowing a range of acceptable densities for each zone. There is no change in the maximum density allowed in the Low Density Residential (LD) and Medium Density Residential (MD) zones, however minimum density standards are established. Also, a maximum density standard is established in the High Density Residential (HD) zone, where there is none currently.
The Planning Commission has initiated these Code amendments in order to modernize the Code, to provide a greater degree of flexibility in the design of residential developments, to permit and encourage more affordable housing, to better meet the residential density targets of the Marion County comprehensive plan, and to bring the Code into compliance with recent changes to State Law. For more information about the proposed changes see the Residential Zoning Update page.
In summary, the proposed amendments would:
- Eliminate the minimum lot size requirements in the LD, MD, and HD Residential zones and replace them with minimum and maximum density standards. In the LD Residential Zone new development will be required to be between 3.5 and 6 units per acre. The maximum density currently permitted in the LD zone is 6 units per acre. In the MD Residential Zone new development will be required to be between 6 and 12 units per acre. The maximum density currently permitted in the MD zone is 12 units per acre. In the HD Residential zone new development will be required to be between 13 and 24 units per acre. The minimum density currently permitted in the HD zone is 13 units per acre, with no maximum.
- Reduce the minimum lot width requirements. In the LD zone, the minimum lot width is reduced from 80 feet to 60 feet. In the MD zone, the minimum lot width is reduced from 70 feet to 50 feet. In the HD zone, the minimum lot width is reduced from 60 feet to 40 feet.
- Allow single family attached dwellings in the LD and MD zones.
- Allow more than one single family detached dwelling on a parcel, provided the density standard is met and the frontage is increased.
- Allow smaller single family dwellings in the MD and HD zone. Currently all single family dwellings must be at least 1,000 square feet. The amendment would allow a home of 900 square feet in the MD zone and 750 square feet in the HD zone.
- Allow “Cottage Cluster” developments to provide flexibility in design and greater affordability by allowing smaller housing units designed around a central courtyard with requirements for common open space, private open space, site design, architectural and property maintenance.
- Amend the Accessory Dwelling Unit standards to comply with recent changes to state law. State law now says that the City’s standards for ADUs may not require owner-occupancy or additional off-street parking.
- Require a garage to be set back a minimum of four feet behind the front wall of the house, so that the overhead door is not the primary architectural feature facing the street.
- Make a number of amendments to the subdivision approval standards to reflect the changes outlined above, to update the submission and approval procedures, and the requirements for open space and public use areas.
The link below provides the Sixth Draft of the proposed amendments as will be reviewed at the public hearing. A staff report and draft order will be posted once they are written. To learn more about the proposed amendments and to see the staff reports and presentations considered by the Planning Commission as they discussed the proposed amendments, see see the Residential Zoning Update page.