Commissioners approve rezoning and exception to convert defunct Bristol condos to fee‑simple duplex lots

The City Planning Commission on March 19 approved a coordinated set of actions to convert a longstanding condominium regime in the Bristol/Strawberry Creek neighborhood into fee‑simple duplex lots, a move developers and staff said will make existing units mortgageable and allow vacant parcels to be developed.

Derek Goodman of the Huron Group, the project applicant, told commissioners the goal is "to not only remove the condo regime to enable the existing homeowners to be able to sell their property, but also enable the development of the vacant land" and described updated elevations and design changes requested at earlier concept review.

Staff summarized the package as (1) an amendment to the Bristol neighborhood plan to change land use from multifamily to single‑ and two‑family, (2) a zoning ordinance amendment to create/allow TRD‑1 (traditional single‑ and two‑family) uses, (3) rezoning specific parcels from TRD‑2 to TRD‑1, (4) a special‑exception request to permit a 0‑foot interior side‑yard on common party walls for attached units, and (5) approval of a final plat of subdivision subject to conditions. Staff recommended approval of each element.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on how maintenance and disputes would be managed for attached units, whether the relief would set a precedent, and how many existing homes remain. The developer and staff said existing CC&Rs and an HOA will govern maintenance and insurance obligations, that the local building code and monotony ordinance require variation in elevations so identical buildings cannot be placed repeatedly, and that six of the 42 originally planned homes are already developed on site.

One commissioner called the package "an excellent solution identifying a real problem" for owners of non‑warrantable condominium units; staff and others said converting the units to fee‑simple ownership with party walls should improve mortgage access. The motion to approve items 1 through 5 was made from the floor, seconded, and approved by voice vote with the Chair recorded as voting aye.

The approvals allow the developer to pull building permits and proceed with inspections under the city’s single‑family building code; the final plat approval carries the conditions listed in the staff resolution.

The commission’s action is subject to the usual next step of recordation and any conditions that must be cleared prior to final signature per the resolution and staff report.