A really close neighbor: Affordable housing board interested in allowing two homes to be built on single city lot

Members of the city’s affordable housing board want to allow two homes to be built on one lot as long as at least one is designated as an affordable home or rental.

As part of its meeting Monday, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board reviewed a preliminary draft of changes to the city’s land use code that would allow two homes to be built on a single lot under certain conditions. One of the homes would have to be permanently designated as affordable housing and both homes would need to meet existing design standards for residential neighborhoods.

Planning Director Scott McCullough explained that keeping the design requirements in place is important for emergency access and would help preserve the character and look of neighborhoods. He said each unit would also have to meet existing off-street parking requirements.