Citywide Zoning Change Would Let Two-Unit Townhomes Be Split for Separate Ownership
Salina city commissioners are scheduled to consider a citywide zoning change Monday that would let owners of two-unit townhome buildings in two more residential zoning districts divide them along the shared wall and sell each side separately.
Ordinance No. 26-11302 would amend the rules for the R-2.5 and R-3 multiple-family residential districts to list single-family attached dwellings, limited to two units per building, as a permitted use.
Why It Came Up
The request was prompted by homes on Vista Sur Drive. At a Sept. 15 Planning Commission hearing, Dean Andrew, representing Kelly Dunn and Craig Piercy of Stone Lake Development, said the developers built six two-unit dwellings along Vista Sur Drive that back up to Schilling Road.
Andrew said the lots were zoned R-2.5 so apartments could be built there, and the developers later found the buildings could not be split into separate ownership under current rules. He said the developers also have R-2.5 lots in a second phase, and that the change could allow infill townhomes in older parts of the city zoned R-3.
What Would Change
Townhomes divided this way have been allowed in the R-2 district since 1989. The ordinance would apply the same standards to the R-2.5 and R-3 districts: a minimum lot width of 24 feet for each attached unit, or 40 feet on corner lots, and a side yard that can be reduced to zero at the shared wall.
According to the staff report, the change would not increase the density allowed in either district. The minimum lot area of 3,000 square feet per family would stay the same, as would requirements for front and rear yards, height, lot coverage, parking and building and fire codes. Any lot split would still go through the city's subdivision process.
City staff said the R-2.5 and R-3 rules already set a minimum lot area for "single-family attached" homes but did not list them as a permitted use or include matching lot-width and side-yard standards. Staff described the amendment as fixing that inconsistency.
Recommendation
The Planning Commission voted 6-0 on Sept. 15 to recommend approval. No members of the public spoke at the hearing. Staff recommends adoption and reports no fiscal impact to the city.
Because the change applies citywide rather than to a specific property, mailed notices and protest petitions do not apply. Adoption would take three votes. Denying it against the Planning Commission's recommendation would take four.
How to Attend or Watch
The Salina City Commission meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, in Room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 W. Ash St. The meeting is also available on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587 and can be viewed on the City of Salina YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas.
Written comments can be sent to commissioners through the "Email City Commission" icon on the city's website, www.salina-ks.gov. The city asks that comments be sent by 5 p.m. the Sunday before the meeting. The full agenda and meeting packet are available at https://public.govinity.com/portal/salina-ks/meetings/772.
