A proposed change to Salina’s zoning regulations could make it easier to build attached single-family homes, such as townhomes, in parts of the city already zoned for higher-density housing.

The Salina Planning Commission held a public hearing Sept. 15 on Application ZTA26-002, filed by Dean Andrew on behalf of Kelly Dunn.

The proposal would add single-family attached dwellings as a permitted use in the city’s R-2.5 and R-3 Multiple-Family Residential districts and establish lot-width and side-yard requirements for those homes.

What does it mean for residents?

If approved, the change would give property owners and developers another housing option on land already zoned R-2.5 or R-3.

It would not rezone existing neighborhoods or allow townhomes throughout Salina. Properties outside those zoning districts would not be affected unless they went through a separate rezoning process.

For residents, the most visible result could eventually be more townhouse-style homes built in areas where apartments, duplexes and other higher-density housing are already allowed.

The proposal still requires action through the city’s zoning approval process before becoming part of Salina’s code.

The affected zoning is not limited to one part of Salina. R-2.5 and R-3 properties can be found in several areas of the city, including portions of the Magnolia and airport area, South Ohio, downtown, Oakdale and East Crawford. The proposal would apply only to properties already carrying those zoning classifications.