Planning commission recommends approval of DCM Farms PUD amendment to allow patios and adjusted setbacks

The Dayton City Planning Commission on a voice vote recommended approval of an amendment to the DCM Farms planned-unit development and preliminary plat that would adjust lot lines to allow patios on 40-foot lots, revise front/rear/corner setbacks and certain side-yard setbacks, and change how garage frontage is measured.

Staff outlined five specific requests from the applicant: (1) reconfigure side-yard setbacks to allow a 12-foot patio side and a 3-foot non-patio side (keeping required drainage and utility easements), (2) allow decks and similar open structures with a 7-foot setback, (3) set front/rear and corner-lot setbacks at 15 feet where 25 feet had been shown but not dimensioned in the original PUD, (4) reduce some corner side-yard setbacks to 20 feet where the PUD had required 25, and (5) revise garage-width allowances so that many 40-foot lots would be alley-loaded with no visible garage from the public street, and 45-foot lots could have up to 72% of the street-facing frontage as garage. Planning staff said these changes do not add housing units or change building footprints but shift property lines to create more usable private side-yard area for future residents. "This request will impact the 40 and 45 foot lots in the Northeast corner of DCM Farm 2nd edition," staff said, noting 16.7 acres in the affected area and that MI Homes would be able to build its standard product if the amendment is approved.

Tom Dean, the applicant, and a MI Homes representative told the commission the houses themselves and elevations are unchanged and that the amendment aims to produce more usable private outdoor space for homeowners. "It's just a small concrete patio going out. Every house will have that patio. It's gonna be the standard," the applicant said. The MI Homes representative added the design preserves at least 15 feet between buildings and that where setbacks under 5 feet apply the building code will require a one-hour fire-rated wall and protected openings.

Residents who spoke during public comment raised concerns about traffic and safety and urged additional public benefits tied to the PUD deviations. Marsha Grover urged the commission to require something for the public in exchange for the requested deviations, saying the changes "will increase the value of these properties" and asked that the developer be required to provide a paved path along Fernbrook Lane to protect walkers and bicyclists. Another nearby resident said he did not oppose the amendment but criticized the city for insufficient planning and communication about roundabout timing.

Commissioners split over whether the amendment added new public benefit beyond funds and commitments already promised for infrastructure (notably contributions toward a future roundabout and landscaping). One commissioner described the amendment as largely "shifting of what could have been there anyway," arguing the changes make lots more usable for future residents. After deliberations the commission voted to recommend approval; the transcript records the recommendation as passing after a roll call correction to reflect one 'no' vote when the absent commissioner returned.

The planning commission is advisory; the recommendation will go to the Dayton City Council for final action. The staff report accompanying the application includes conditions and the resolution language staff cited during the presentation. The city engineer reviewed the request and had no comments on the preliminary-plat amendment; the building official flagged the fire-rating requirement for walls closer than 5 feet to a property line. The commission also requested additional information on landscaping and facade treatments to reduce monotony where garages are more prominent.