City Council Meeting - FINAL

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9.A.

Meeting Date:	02/07/2023
From:	Ben Mejia, Planner

Information

TITLE:

Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-01: An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, amending the Flagstaff City Code, Title 10, Flagstaff Zoning Code, Division 10-80.20: Definitions of Specialized terms, phrases, and building functions, Section 10-80.20.040: Definitions “D” to modify the term “duplex”; Providing for penalties, repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, and establishing an effective date.

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

At the February 7th, 2023 Council Meeting:
1) Hold Public Hearing
2) Read Ordinance No. 2023-01 by title only for the first time
3) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-01 by title only (if approved above)
At the February 21st, 2023 Council Meeting:
4) Read Ordinance No. 2023-01 by title only for the final time
5) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-01 by title only (if approved above)
6) Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-01

Executive Summary:

The proposed amendment is to modify the definition of the term “Duplex” (Section 10-80.20.040) to only refer to attached dwellings. Staff proposes this amendment to resolve conflicts in the Zoning Code created by a 2020 Zoning Text Amendment (Ordinance No. 2020-11) which, in addition to several other changes, redefined duplex to include two single-family dwellings on a lot as a detached duplex. As a result of this amendment, lots of sufficient size in all zones that support single-family development would be permitted to build a second single-family dwelling that would follow the Code standards and permitting process of single-family development.

Financial Impact:

There are no anticipated financial impacts affiliated with the proposed City Code Text Amendment.

Policy Impact:

There are no anticipated policy impacts affiliated with the proposed City Code Text Amendment.

Connection to PBB Priorities/Objectives, Carbon Neutrality Plan & Regional Plan:

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives

Safe & Healthy Community - Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules & regulations.
Robust Resilient Economy - Enhance understanding between the development community, the City & Flagstaff residents.

Carbon Neutrality Plan

DD-1: Encourage vibrancy, appropriate density, and attainability in existing neighborhoods, so that more residents live
within walking distance of their daily needs.

Regional Plan

Goal LU.1.6: Establish greater flexibility in development standards and processes to assist developers in overcoming challenges posed by redevelopment and infill sites.
Goal LU.5.2: Promote infill development over peripheral expansion to conserve environmental resources, spur economic investments, and reduce the cost of providing infrastructure and services.
Goal LU.5.3: Promote compact development appropriate to and within the context of each area type: urban, suburban, and rural.

Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:

There have been no previous Council decisions on this.

Options and Alternatives:

The City Council may adopt, modify, or deny the proposed amendment.

Background/History:

The proposed amendment includes the following modification to Section 10-80.20.040:

Duplex: A residential building designed to be occupied by two families living independently of each other with two attached ~~or detached~~ dwelling units on one lot or parcel. ~~If attached~~, tThe units may be attached front-to-back or side-to-side with a common or party wall or stacked one atop the other with a common ceiling-floor separating the units.

Key Considerations:

A Zoning Code Text Amendment shall be evaluated based on the following findings:

A.   Finding #1:
The proposed amendment is consistent with and conforms to the objectives and policies of the General Plan and any applicable specific plan;
The amendment's primary purpose is to re-establish consistency within the Zoning Code and facilitate the development of a second single-family dwelling on a lot, providing additional infill housing opportunity. This is consistent with General Plan goals LU.1.6, LU.5.2, and LU.5.3. Land Use goal LU.1.6 references the establishment of greater flexibility in development standards and processes to facilitate overcoming challenges to redevelopment and infill development. This amendment would facilitate redevelopment and infill development of two single-family homes on a lot by removing the requirements that would be necessary for duplex development such as Architectural Design Standards, guest parking requirements, and concept plan application review. LU.5.2 promotes infill development, this amendment would provide new opportunity to develop on lots with existing single-family dwellings. LU5.3 promotes compact development appropriate to each area type. This amendment facilitates compact development within existing neighborhoods in keeping with single-family neighborhoods.

B.   Finding #2
The proposed amendment will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City;
The amendment provisions are not anticipated to be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City. The proposed provision is intended to provide additional housing development opportunity.

C.    Finding #3
The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.
The amendment is internally consistent, utilizes the existing format, and does not conflict with other Zoning Code provisions. It maintains the Zoning Code’s purpose as a comprehensive contemporary set of land uses and requirements that are straightforward, usable, and easily understood.

Attachments
Ord. 2023-01
Application
Presentation