Marshfield Plan Commission OKs SR6 zoning change to allow duplexes, twin homes and townhouses

The Marshfield Plan Commission on Oct. 21 approved a text amendment to the city zoning code that changes the SR6 district from “single-family residential” to allow additional small multiunit housing types and to clarify accessory-dwelling-unit rules.

City planner Bryce Hamburg, the presenter, said the change is intended to reflect neighborhood conditions in older parts of town and to reduce administrative confusion. “This is something that we have discussed at Planning Commission for quite a while now,” Hamburg said, adding the district covers older neighborhoods near downtown where two- and multiunit buildings already exist.

The amendment explicitly adds twin houses and duplexes, and allows townhouses of three to four units as permitted uses in SR6. The change also clarifies that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) may be allowed by right in SR6 where a single-family dwelling exists; ADUs would still not be allowed on 2-flat or duplex structures under this proposal. The amendment keeps a 4,500-square-foot minimum lot area for single-family and two-flat buildings consistent with recent code decisions.

Commissioners asked for and received clarification that the proposal does not include changes to short-term rental rules or to rules for communication towers. Hamburg explained the short-term rental language appearing in the redline was an error and that short-term rental regulations were updated previously and reside in the city’s licensing chapter. He said a new communication tower would typically remain a conditional use and is not part of this amendment.

The commission opened and closed the public hearing with no public comment. The commission then voted by roll call, with Mayor Teaschik, Council member O’Reilly and Commissioners Caprillion, Bernardi, Frederick, Meyer and Mitchell voting yes. The motion to approve carried unanimously.

The amendment will next be available for review by the Common Council per the city’s ordinance adoption process.

Ending: The planning staff recommended the change, and commissioners said the amendment aims to acknowledge existing housing patterns while providing clearer rules for small-scale multiunit housing and ADUs in older Marshfield neighborhoods.