Council Action Requested:
Application by Lancaster County to amend Unified Development Ordinance Chapters 2, 4, and related provisions regarding standards for Medium Density Residential (MDR) District and Cluster Subdivision Overlay (CSO) District.
Growth management has been an active discussion with the County Council over the course of the last several months. With the previously proposed Interim Ordinance being disapproved, active discussion and citizen engagement has occurred prompting the County Council to initiate proposed changes to the Medium Density Residential (MDR) Zoning District and its associated Cluster Subdivision Overlay District (CSOD).
The underlying intent of the amendments (as understood by staff) include: 1) Decreasing density of residential developments, 2) Increasing residential lot sizes, 3) Increasing useable open space acreage in neighborhoods, 4), Breaking up residential block faces, and 5) Expanding driveway parking within neighborhoods.
The proposed amendments are also a recognition that additional rezonings may be forthcoming in association with the Cane Creek Basin Sewer Extension Project (i.e. Roselyn) and wishing to be better prepared for future growth in this area prior to completion of the full rewrite of the UDO.
Points to Consider:
Whether or not Council wishes to address shortcomings of the MDR and Cluster Subdivision Overlay District in the areas of density, lot sizes, open space, driveway parking, and related topics prior to adoption of the full UDO Rewrite.
Funding and Liability Factors:
Not applicable.
Recommendation:
The Planning Commission considered this item at their January meeting and unanimously recommended approval. The recommendation reflected support for Version 2 of the amendment. A memo has been prepared to better explain the two versions of the amendment and is attached.
Planning Commissioners did express some concern with the proposed changes regarding how density is calculated and its impact on the financial feasibility of projects. The proposed changes were requested by County Council and only permit 50% of environmentally encumbered land to be considered within density calculations. The current UDO allows all gross acreage to be included in the density calculation.
Staff also recommended approval of the proposed amendments. Staff shares Planning Commission's concern regarding changes to density calculations.