Planning commission reviews RM-11 zoning updates and seeks council work session on affordable-housing definition

The Richfield City Planning Commission spent a sizable portion of its March 4 meeting reviewing a proposed ordinance to amend the RM-11 residential zoning standards and related definitions in chapter 17.23.

Staff introduced proposed changes to Table 31-3 that would clarify RM-11 standards for lot size, density, setbacks, open and usable space, building height and spacing between structures. Commissioners focused much of the discussion on defining 'affordable housing' in code and on tools to preserve or require affordability in new developments, including development agreements, option fees and potential owner-occupancy requirements.

One commissioner summarized common affordability metrics discussed in the meeting, noting affordability is often measured relative to area median income (for example, 80% of AMI) and that housing is commonly considered affordable when housing costs do not exceed 30% of that income. Commissioners and staff discussed how such definitions could tie into development agreements and be enforced through required provisions in plats or agreements. Staff and commissioners also discussed mechanisms such as requiring a percentage of units to be owner-occupied or restricting rentals through development agreements depending on project type.

Commissioners asked staff to produce a cleaned-up version of the draft ordinance and the new definition language to send to the city council for a work session so council members could review the changes. The commission discussed planning a public hearing in April to gather additional public input after council review. No ordinance vote occurred at the March 4 meeting; the matter remains at the discussion and drafting stage.