Oxbow council holds first reading to reduce multifamily rear-yard setback

The Oxbow City Council on Jan. 19 held a first reading of a proposed amendment to the city Land Development Code, section 5.10 (Multiple Family Residential District), that would change the minimum rear-yard requirement from 40 feet to 15 feet.

Mayor Jim Nyhof called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the council approved the Dec. 22, 2025 minutes before taking up the code amendment. The minutes record that there were no written protests and no further discussion at the meeting. The council scheduled a second and final reading of the amendment for its February meeting, when a formal vote will be taken.

If adopted, the change would allow multifamily buildings to be sited closer to rear property lines. The minutes do not include analysis or staff findings about potential impacts such as changes to lot coverage, stormwater management, or effects on adjacent properties; council members did not record extended debate during the first reading.

The amendment remains at first reading stage; the council will vote at the February meeting on whether to adopt the code change.