Residential Development Standards Update Project

Update 4/25/12: At its April 24th meeting the Planning Commission directed staff to prepare revisions to the draft ordinance, and voted to continue the public hearing on the proposed amendments to Wednesday, June 20 (note the special date). The Commission plans to recommend adoption of the revised amendment package by City Council at this meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30pm and is held in the City Hall Council Chambers. Meeting materials will be posted on June 13th here. The current Planning Commission version of the proposed amendments is available here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For list of the most common questions about this project see our Residential Development Standards FAQ sheet here.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project is reviewing the policies that shape the design and types of new and expanded single- and multifamily development, with the goal of creating a better set of standards that do not inadvertently discourage investment but result in a higher level of quality when projects are built. These proposed regulations will only apply to new construction (“infill” development), new accessory dwelling units (“granny flats” or “mother-in-law units”), and expansions of existing homes or garages. They will also allow new types of sustainability-related structures, such as water cisterns and solar panels. The new rules will not be retroactive.

PROJECT GOALS
The key goals of this project are to ensure that every new residential building in Milwaukie is a good neighbor; to respond to changing housing and demographic needs; and to streamline and clarify existing regulations. City staff has heard from the people applying for permits that our current code is confusing or not in line with current housing needs and trends. Staff has also heard from the community that much of the new housing (both single family and multifamily housing) being built in Milwaukie does not “fit” the character of the surrounding neighborhood. As a result, in 2009, City Council and Planning Commission directed staff to evaluate and improve the regulations that apply to residential development.

PRIMARY CHANGES PROPOSED

Requiring facade articulation on new single-family homes.
Applying limited design standards to significant home expansions or garage conversions.
Making it easier to add accessory dwelling units, e.g. mother-in-law units or granny flats.
Adding new design standards and review processes for new multifamily development.
Allowing rowhouses and cottage clusters in zones that already allow multifamily development. (This project is not proposing narrow lot buildings, often called "skinny houses".)
Allowing larger accessory structures with larger setbacks from the property lines.

See examples of these features here.

The project will:

Streamline and clarify the residential use base zone standards
Improve the City’s residential development standards to ensure that every new building is a good neighbor
Establish building and site design standards for multifamily housing
Determine what range of housing types Milwaukie should allow

The project will not:

Rezone any areas of the City
Change density anywhere in the City
Address issues outside of the project scope, such as parking or flag lot design

For a complete list of project "untouchables," policies and issues that the project won't change, click here.

PROJECT SCHEDULE AND OUTREACH
The project kicked off in January 2011 and is entering the final phase with Planning Commision review and final adoption by City Council expected this winter, 2012. A summary of the public outreach and involvement is provided here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information about the project, please follow the appropriate link: