Commission schedules hearing for R‑2 zoning amendment that aims to broaden housing types and affordability

Goodland planning commissioners set a public hearing for May 14 on a proposed amendment to Chapter 19, Section 4‑53, which governs R‑2 (moderate‑to‑high density residential) zoning. Staff presented the draft and explained that the stated intent had been revised to emphasize encouraging a broader range of housing types and increasing housing affordability.

The draft moves permitted uses and accessory uses into explicit subsections similar to the R‑1 rewrite. Principal permitted uses in R‑2 would include multifamily dwellings, single‑family dwellings and duplexes, with a continued allowance for group homes (limited and general), rooming/boarding houses where appropriate, and institutional or quasi‑public uses such as family care centers and places of worship.

Commissioners discussed density and lot‑area rules for multifamily development. The draft retains a 2,000‑square‑foot lot‑area‑per‑unit standard for multifamily units but commissioners debated whether to raise that per‑unit figure or to require a separate minimum total lot size (staff suggested keeping a 7,000‑square‑foot absolute minimum so small multifamily developments cannot circumvent neighborhood scale limits). The commission also reduced minimum lot width to 50 feet in the draft and maintained a 50 percent lot‑coverage cap.

On accessory buildings, the draft includes a specific cap for garages and accessory buildings in R‑2: a presumed limit of 1,200 square feet and a maximum 20‑foot roof peak, with larger accessory structures requiring approval. Commissioners asked staff whether nurseries and greenhouses should be permitted or conditional in R‑2; several members preferred a conditional classification so neighbors would have notice and input.

Commissioner Matt moved to set the public hearing; Grady seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote. Staff was asked to correct minor numbering and wording errors in the draft and to add a missing accessory‑structure rear‑yard reference in the tables before the hearing packet is published.