05-29-19 Zoning and Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK Councilmember White asked, Would that require special zoning? I think there are a couple of developers talking about tiny houses. I know currently our zoning, what I was told, would not allow for that and we have to make some changes. Mr. Divita replied, You can have a tiny house, but you can only have one (1) tiny house per lot if it's zoned Single-Family. You could have a grouping of them but that would require Multi-Family District. I think some of the rub is when you want to start integrating them into a neighborhood, then you are introducing Multi-Family zoning in the middle of a neighborhood where you may not necessarily want it. I think that would be another rationale for the zone we are talking about. It is something sort of intermediate and is the next beyond Single-Family housing but is something that is highly compatible with it. He continued, So,why are these changes important?We talked a bit on the housing choice bringing these different kinds of styles that are otherwise illegal in the City. These types, they also tend to be more affordable and a little bit smaller in square footage. Also, you tend to share property and walls, so the housing cost is lower. These also provide an opportunity for wealth creation. You may have a home already on your lot and you may choose to build an accessory dwelling in the back. In neighborhoods with housing values going up, it's a way to preserve some affordable housing within that neighborhood and that neighborhood character. It allows neighborhoods to slowly evolve while we add in some of these different housing options and types. With that, it is also a way to add in some more population in a gentle way. That helps support neighborhood-scale business by having greater population density there. It finally helps support some of our neighborhood plans.The NNN planning efforts are looking at some of these housing types as well. Committeemember Jo M. Broden interjected, Couldn't sustainability be a point in there as well? In terms of smaller footprint, less exterior walls, infill? Mr. Divita replied, Yes, and they tend to be in very walkable environments as well. That even plays into the affordability piece as there may be less dependence on the automobile,and that cost. In summary, this district would allow for anywhere from having one (1) to four(4) housing units on a lot with an accessory dwelling unit, by right, on that lot. I will note that it doesn't mean we have to develop to that intensity. If you look at some of the older neighborhoods, especially that ring downtown, my houses are Single-Family but, here and there, there would be a duplex or a triplex. Neighborhoods work very well that way. I will note, too, the draft ordinance would have that if they are converting,they would still require a special exception as you would now.We don't want to give the incentive of taking a bunch of Single-Family homes and chop them up. It can be done well but, unfortunately oftentimes it is kind of sloppy. The intent here is to take some of our vacant land supply and do more purposeful duplexes and triplexes. Committee Chair Dr. Davis asked,You say more vacant land,especially targeting the places where the houses were knocked down and those kinds of things? Mr. Divita replied, Certainly, yes, as that is an infill housing strategy. He continued, In terms of the ordinance and what uses we allow other than those modest changes, we want to allow a little bit more housing onto a lot. Otherwise, it would be a direct copy of what uses are allowed in the SF-Two (2) District. The development standards in terms of setbacks, side yards, etcetera would be much in keeping with what we see in the urban neighborhoods already in EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227W Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574 235 9221 f 574.2359173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.goy 3