Algood City Council tabled a decision Tuesday night to amend the city’s zoning ordinance regarding duplexes and two-family residential structures.
The proposed amendment would allow such structures as a conditional use in low-density residential districts (R-1) and as a permitted use in medium-density residential districts (R-2). Council Member Luke Hill said he personally has concerns about the proposed changes.
“Why the change? Why now? What’s driving this issue?” Hill said. “Are we getting questions, commentary from citizens saying hey I can’t redevelop my property? I don’t have those answers.”
During the public comment period, a resident spoke against the changes, saying there is plenty of available housing in Algood and that zoning ordinances exist for a reason and should not be changed.
Codes Director Bob Lane said the reason the changes have been brought forward is that there is nowhere else to build housing in Algood.
“I know, you know, somebody doesn’t want a duplex, but with the regulations we have on a duplex right now, they are the most stringent in the county,” Lane said. “I don’t see it interfering in a community. It’s not like we are going to go out in the middle of a subdivision and stick these things in; we are not. With all the regulations we have and the demand we have, you know, he said a while ago, he didn’t feel like there was enough housing. There is no housing in Algood.”
Lane said the reason Algood has very strict duplex ordinances is that several years ago, many residents were against the construction of multiple apartment complexes. Lane said the city decided not to allow duplexes in R-2 zones and then put very strict requirements on R-1 zones. Those requirements consist of meeting a specific lot size, square footage, and parking capacity. Lane also said developers still have to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Hill said he would like the council to send the proposal back to the planning commission to consider other options. Council Member Roger Williams echoed Hill’s remarks. Williams said he used to be on the planning commission when the residents were against apartments and duplexes.
“It was sort of rough on us for everybody to come up with [something] and then okay, and then the councilmen turn it down,” Williams said. “So I am like you, I think there are other things that have been invented since then that if we table it, go back, and maybe Mr. Lee educate us a little more. Back then, it was just yes and no, practically. And I think there is enough new stuff here that we can work with.”
The council unanimously approved to send the proposal back to the planning commission. Tuesday night’s reading of the proposal was the second reading.
In other business, the council approved a resolution for an annual budget adoption and monitoring policy. City Administrator Keith Morrison said the city has been following this policy in years past and that the policy ensures that the city uses “best practices” for budgeting.