HomeMy WebLinkAbout07152025 Planning & Zoning Work Session PacketPlanning & Zoning Commission
Work Session Packet
Work Session
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Council Chambers, City Hall
6: 00 p.m.
The City of Seward, Alaska
SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION AGENDA
July 15, 2025 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Carol Griswold
Chair
Term February, 2027
Brenan Hornseth
Vice Chair
Term February, 2028
Nathaniel Charbonneau
Commissioner
Term February, 2027
Vanessa Verhey
Commissioner
Term February, 2026
Clare Sullivan
Commissioner
Term February, 2026
Rhonda Hubbard
Commissioner
Term February, 2028
June Pemberton
Commissioner
Term February, 2028
Daniel Meuninck
Community
Development Director
Courtney Bringhurst
City Planner
Jamie Crocker
Executive Planning
Assistant
Kris Peck
City Clerk
1) CALL TO ORDER
2) STAFF COMMENTS
3) DISCUSSION ITEMS
a) Veterinary Hospital Ordinance Draft 6
b) Missing Middle Housing 10
i. Mixed -use development definition .10
ii. Apartments in commercial buildings ......15
iii. Cottage Court ...19
4) ADJOURNMENT
2
OUTCOME GOALS
FOR WORK SESSION
1) Review the draft Ordinance for amending the land uses allowed table for
Veterinary Hospital.
2) Discuss a definition for the term "mixed -use development".
3) Review the land uses allowed table for apartments in a commercial building
and discuss where changes can be made to match what is currently in effect
in the downtown area and to encourage this type of development in other
areas.
4) Review the Cottage Court dwelling type and discuss whether this could be a
land use that should be added to the land uses allowed table.
Background:
A temporary veterinary clinic has been operating out of the Animal Shelter
occasionally throughout the year. The property is zoned Institutional, and a
mobile medical unit is allowed outright in this zoning district. However, a
permanent veterinary hospital/clinic is not allowed. A veterinary clinic is a
much -needed service in Seward, and the land uses allowed table should be
reviewed to ensure that it is not too restrictive of where a veterinary clinic can
operate, thus inadvertently eliminating the option of having a permanent
veterinary clinic come to Seward.
One of the Commission's priorities approved by the City Council is to
"contribute and collaborate as needed to help be part of the solution for the
housing issues that Seward is facing." As such, the Commission will discuss a
variety of topics related to the "Missing Middle Housing". The Missing
Middle Housing types provide diverse housing options that are currently
missing or not sufficient in comunities such as duplexes, fourplexes,
townhomes, cottage courts, and multiplexes. These are house -scaled buildings,
meant to fit seamlessly into existing residential neighborhoods and to support
walkability and locally serving retail. During this work session, the
Commission will focus on discussing the Missing Middle Housing topics of
mixed -use development, apartments in a commercial building, and cottage
courts.
3
Mixed -use development:
During the past two work sessions discussing Parking, the topic of mixed -use
development has come up as an area of confusion since it is not defined within
the code, and it is not listed in the parking requirements table. As part of the
discussion regarding "Missing Middle Housing", the Commission will discuss
a potential definition for mixed -use development. Adding it to the parking
requirements table will be discussed at a future work session.
Apartments in a commercial building:
This use is already defined in our code and is listed in the land uses allowed
table. It is a form of mixed -use development that specifically pertains to the
combination of residential and commercial uses within the same building.
Currently, there are only two listed options within the land uses allowed table
for this use: one apartment within a commercial building, and two or more
apartments within a commercial building. During past work sessions, a
member of the public brought up that many of the buildings downtown have
two or more apartments within a commercial building. This was an outright
allowed use in the past, so many of these locations do not meet the current
parking code. Since a CUP is now required for the same use, many of these
buildings could not be rebuilt if they were destroyed or needed major repairs.
The Commission will review the land uses allowed table and discuss where
possible changes could be made to encourage this type of missing middle
housing.
Cottage Court:
This is a type of dwelling that is currently not in our code. It is a group of
small (1 — 1.5 story), detached structures arranged around a shared courtyard
visible from the street and located on a single lot. Community Development
staff are bringing this dwelling type forward for the Commission to discuss
and review since it is a Missing Middle Housing type, and staff have also been
approached by two different developers who have expressed interest in
developing something similar in nature to a cottage court.
4
Veterinary Hospital
Sponsored: Sorensen
Introduction: August XX, 2025
Public Hearing: September XX, 2025
Enactment: September XX, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING SEWARD CITY CODE §15.10.226 LAND USES
ALLOWED TABLE TO ADD VETERINARY HOSPITAL AS AN
OUTRIGHT ALLOWED USE IN THE INSTITUTIONAL ZONING
DISTRICT
WHEREAS, according to Seward City Code 15.01.035, the Planning and Zoning
Commission by its own motion may recommend amendments to Title 15 to the City Council;
and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the community to periodically review and update
the City zoning code to reflect community changes and needs; and
and
WHEREAS, there are currently no permanent veterinary hospitals operating in Seward;
WHEREAS, a veterinary hospital is allowed with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the
Auto Commercial, Industrial, and Resource Management zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, a veterinary clinic from Soldotna, AK has been providing mobile clinic
service for animals in Seward at the Seward Animal Shelter; and
WHEREAS, the Seward Animal Shelter is located on a property that is zoned
Institutional; and
WHEREAS, an animal shelter is allowed outright in Industrial, and with a CUP in
Resource Management and Institutional; and
WHEREAS, a medical clinic is allowed outright in Office Residential, Auto
Commercial, Harbor Commercial, Central Business, and Institutional; and
WHEREAS, the
WHEREAS, the.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Title 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table is hereby amended
to read as follows (new language is in bolded italics and underlined, and deleted language is
stricken):
6
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-XXX
TABLE
Zoning District Designations
The following zoning district abbreviations are provided for information and interpretation:
RR =
Rural, very low density single-family residential
R1 =
Single-family, low density residential
R2 =
Single and two-family, medium density residential
R3 =
Single, two and multi -family, high density residential
UR =
Urban residential, a mix of residential uses and low impact home professional
offices
OR =
Office residential
AC =
Auto and neighborhood oriented, light commercial
HC =
Harbor commercial
CB =
Central business district - dense downtown commercial
I =
Industrial
RM =
Resource management - partially developable lands subject to floodplains and
steep slopes
INS =
Institutional, public, quasi -public uses
P =
Parks
Table 15.10.226. Land Uses Allowed
Key:
O — Use Permitted Outright
H — Home Occupation
C — Use Requires Conditional Use Permit
P — Use Requires Administrative Permit
Blank — Use Prohibited
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
RI
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Veterinary Hospital
€
0
C
0
CO
0
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-XXX
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days upon adoption.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA the
XX day of September, 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
AB SENT:
ABSTAIN:
VACANT:
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
8
Mixed -Use Development Definition
Definitions:
Mixed -use development
Dwelling. A building designed or used exclusively as living quarters for one or more families.
a. Apartment. Any portion of a building which is designed, built, rented, leased, let or
hired out to be occupied or which is occupied as the home or residence of an individual
for daily living and doing his own cooking independently of any other individual or
family in the same building.
b. Apartment, commercial building. An apartment located within a building designed to
accommodate a mix of residential and commercial uses.
c. Apartment, efficiency (also called accessory apartment). A single separate dwelling
unit consisting of not more than one habitable room which includes combined kitchen,
dining and sleeping areas with accompanying sanitary facilities, and which is located
within or shares a common wall with a single-family dwelling
d. Apartment, owner or manager. An apartment within a building that is designed to be
used exclusively as the living quarters for the owner or manager family of that building
or a commercial business located in the building.
e. Apartment, studio. A small apartment less than 500 square feet with a fully functional
kitchen and bathroom.
f. Condominium. A form of housing ownership by which a person may purchase and
own one dwelling unit in a multiunit building or development. Each owner owns a
common interest in such things as the underlying land, common walls, stairwells,
elevators, lobbies, laundry rooms and recreation rooms.
g. Guest house. An accessory building occupied on a temporary basis solely by
nonpaying guests.
h. Mobile home. A factory -built home designed to be used as a year-round residential
dwelling and originally designed and mounted on wheels and/or axle supports for
transportation by another vehicle.
i. Modular home. A factory -built residential structure that is transportable in one or more
sections, is built on a permanent chassis, and is used as a place of human habitation,
but which is not constructed with a permanent hitch or other device allowing transport
of the unit other than for the purpose of delivery to a permanent site, and which does
not have wheels or axles permanently attached to its body or frame. Includes factory -
built and manufactured home.
J.
Multiple -family. A building designed as a residence for three or more families, with
the number of families in residence not exceeding the number of dwelling units
provided and each living independently of the other under one roof.
k. Single-family, attached. A building containing two or more dwelling units, each of
which has primary ground floor access to the outside and which are attached to each
10
other by party walls without openings. Also commonly called townhouse, row house
and zero -lot line.
1. Single-family, detached. A building designed and/or used exclusively for occupancy of
one family and entirely surrounded by open space on the same lot.
m. Two-family or duplex. A building containing two single-family dwelling units totally
separated from each other by an unpierced wall extending from ground to roof or
unpierced ceiling and floor extending from exterior wall to exterior wall, except for a
common stairwell exterior to both dwelling units.
n. Unit, dwelling unit. A building or separate portion thereof containing kitchen, living,
sleeping accommodations and at least one bathroom and designed to be occupied
exclusively as a residence by one family.
o. Watchman or caretaker dwelling. An accessory dwelling associated with a commercial
or industrial building or structure for the purpose of housing a watchman or caretaker
and immediate family.
Marina. A facility for storing, servicing, fueling, berthing and securing and launching of boats
that may include the sale of fuel and incidental supplies for the boat owners and guests. Also
includes harbor.
Mixed Use Development. A development that combines two or more land uses permitted in
the zoning district, such as residential, commercial, office, and/or institutional uses, in a
single building or on a single site.
(Mobile home. See Dwelling)
Mobile home park. A parcel or adjacent parcels of land in the same ownership upon which two
or more mobile homes are located or for which space is leased or held out for lease or use on a
month -to -month or longer basis. This does not include sale lots on which unoccupied mobile
homes are parked for inspection and sales and shall not be construed to mean tourist facilities for
parking of travel trailers, motor homes or campers.
11
Mixed Use Definition Examples:
1. Portland, Oregon
Mixed -Use Building: A building that contains both residential uses and commercial or
employment uses. These uses may be arranged vertically (e.g., commercial on the ground floor
with residential above) or horizontally (e.g., different uses located side -by -side).
Source: City of Portland Zoning Code (Title 33)
2. Seattle, Washington
Mixed -Use Structure: A structure containing both residential and non-residential uses.
Typically, residential uses are located above the street -level commercial uses, but they may also
be located to the rear or side of commercial space.
II Source: Seattle Municipal Code (SMC 23.84A)
3. Austin, Texas
Mixed Use: The combination of residential and non-residential uses on a single site, including
within a single building or in multiple buildings on the same lot or parcel. Typical combinations
include retail/residential, office/residential, or retail/office.
Source: Austin Land Development Code
4. Anchorage, Alaska
Mixed -Use Development: A development that combines two or more land uses, such as
residential, commercial, and/or civic uses, in a single building or on a single site in an integrated
and pedestrian -friendly manner.
II Source: Anchorage Municipal Code — Title 21
5. Denver, Colorado
Mixed -Use Building: A building that contains a mix of primary uses permitted in the zone
district, which may include residential, commercial, office, and institutional uses. These uses
may be located in a single building or on the same site.
II Source: Denver Zoning Code
12
6. Sacramento, California
Mixed -Use Project: A development containing residential uses in conjunction with one or more
of the following: retail, office, entertainment, or civic uses, either vertically within the same
building or horizontally across the development site.
111 Source: Sacramento City Code — Title 17 Zoning
Key Common Elements:
• Combination of residential + commercial/employment/civic uses
• May be vertical (stacked) or horizontal (side -by -side)
• Typically promotes walkability, density, and urban design goals
• Often regulated through form -based codes or overlay districts
13
Apartments in Commercial Buildings
Land Uses Allowed Table:
Apartment in a commercial building
TABLE
Zoning District Designations
The following zoning district abbreviations are provided for information and interpretation:
RR =
Rural, very low density single-family residential
Rl =
Single-family, low density residential
R2 =
Single and two-family, medium density residential
R3 =
Single, two and multi -family, high density residential
UR =
Urban residential, a mix of residential uses and low impact home professional
offices
OR =
Office residential
AC =
Auto and neighborhood oriented, light commercial
HC =
Harbor commercial
CB =
Central business district - dense downtown commercial
I =
Industrial
RM =
Resource management - partially developable lands subject to floodplains and
steep slopes
INS =
Institutional, public, quasi -public uses
P =
Parks
Table 15.10.226. Land Uses Allowed
Key:
O — Use Permitted Outright
H — Home Occupation
C — Use Requires Conditional Use Permit
P — Use Requires Administrative Permit
Blank — Use Prohibited
15
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
RI
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Dwelling, attached
accessory dwelling
unit
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
C
Dwelling, detached
accessory dwelling
unit
0
O
0
O
0
C
Dwelling,
apartment in a
commercial
building (limited to
one unit)
0
0
O
0
O
C
Dwelling,
apartment in a
commercial
building (two-four
units)
0
0
0
0
Dwelling,
apartment in a
commercial
building (five or
more units)
0
0
C
C
Dwelling,
apartment in a
commercial
-0
0
G
G
building (two or
more units)
Dwelling,
apartment, studio
CCCCC
C
Dwelling, attached
single-family, i.e.,
townhouse, row
CCCCCC
C
Dwelling,
condominium
CCCCCC
C
Dwelling, detached
single-family
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
C
C
Dwelling, group
home
0
O
0
O
0
O
C
Dwelling, guest
house
0
0
C
16
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
RI
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Dwelling, multi-
family (3 or more
units)
CCCC
CC
C
Dwelling, two-
family or duplex
0
0
0
0
0
C
C
Dwelling,
watchman or
caretaker
0
C
17
Cottage Court
MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING
r
Chapter 5 I Missing Middle Housing Types 1 111
OTTAGE
Diagram showing how building
is broken down into units,
CORT
This type consists of a series of small (one to one and a half sto-
ries and small footprint) homes that are typically detached, ori-
jented around a small shared court that is usually perpendicular
to the street. The units to the rear of the lot, perpendicular to the
street, are more often attached, sometimes even two stories, and
in a slightly larger building that is parallel to the street.
In addition to accommodating units, the rear building some-
times houses a shared laundry room, storage space, or parking
that is often accessed off of an alley. This type is ideally applied
in walkable contexts. Since cottage courts are limited to one to
one and a half stories and very small -footprint buildings, they
are compatible with single-family homes, so it is the easiest type
to justify allowing in single-family zones, even in neighborhoods
with larger lots.
Design Characteristics
• Often found on an aggregation of one to three lots in pre-
1940s neighborhoods, typically ranging from 100 to 200
ft. wide. 19
(Photos, pages 112-113) Examples
of cottage courts.
• One to one and a half stories maximum
Exception: If the rear building is parallel to the street,
often along an alley, it is sometimes two stories tall.
Since there is only 20-25 ft. of this building facing
adjacent lots, this second -story element to the rear of
the lot does not cause compatibility issues.
• Small -footprint units: Homes that are one room wide by
two rooms deep are not uncommon (around 500-600 sq. ft.).
If the homes are full size, or on lots generally
larger than 200 ft. in width, it becomes more of a
pocket neighborhood or house cluster, neither of
which are at the small scale of the cottage court
(see comparison of cottage court and pocket
neighborhood on page 119).
Parking, if it is provided on -site, is often off of an alley or
with a cluster -parking area. It should always be detached
from the homes so that residents have to walk through the
courtyard to get into their home. This type is really hard to
make efficient if it is not loaded (parked) from an alley.
• If residents can drive into a garage and walk into a
unit directly, the casual interactions that occur when
walking from car to unit are missed. It also takes
much of the living space that engages the shared
courtyard and pushes it up to the second floor. This
may seem like a small deal, but it is not.
• Detached units are typical, but some examples have
some attached units, Units are on the side or rear of the
lot. (Be sure to clarify if attached units are allowed in
your development standards.)
• Side setbacks are often very small at 5-6 ft. because
20
MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING
7
Chapter 5 I Missing Middle Housing Types 1115
Table 5-6: Cottage Court, Alley -Loaded
LOT
Width
110 ft.
Depth
150 ft.
Area
16,500 sq. ft.
0.379 acres
UNITS
Number of Units
8
'Typical Unit Size
840 sq. ft.
DENSITY
Net Density
21 du/acre
Gross Density
16 du/acre
PARKING
Off-street Ratio
1.0 space per unit
On -street Spaces
5
Off-street Spaces
8
SETBACKS
Front
15 ft.
Side
5 ft.
BUILDING
Width
24 ft.
Depth
35 ft.
Height (to Eave)
15 ft.
Floors
1
lized alley -loaded axonometric
wing with data table.
Idealized front -loaded axonometric
drawing with data table.
Table 5-6: Cottage Court, Front -Loaded
LOT
Width
125 ft,
Depth
150 ft.
Area
18,750 sq. ft.
0.430 acres
UNITS
Number of Units
6
-Typical Unit Size
840 sq. ft.
DENSITY
Net Density
14 du/acre
Gross Density
12 du/acre
PARKING
Off-street Ratio
1.0 spaces per unit
On -street Spaces
5
Off-street Spaces
6
SETBACKS
Front
15 ft.
Side
5 ft.
BUILDING
Width
24 ft.
Depth
35 ft.
Height (to Eave)
15 ft.
Floors
1
21
(Photos, pages 116-117) Various
courtyard sizes and entry configurations.
no rear yards are desired. To maximize the size of
the courtyard, the buildings push as dose to the side
property line as possible. There is typically an exception
to minimum side setbacks for this type. This is okay
because the houses are only one story.
• Private yard spaces ideally are not provided because they
will compromise the use and activation of the shared court.
• This type often has a small 5-8 ft. deep dooryard between
the porch/stoop/entry and the court. This space can be
defined by a small 6-8 in. rope fence or by landscaping,
or a taller hedge or fence. The hedge or fence should
not be too tall or it will make spaces on both sides feel
constrained and compromise the commu9ity feel.
Chapter 5 I Massing Middle Housing Types 1 119
Box 5-1
Comparing Pocket Neighborhoods and Cottage Courts
The Cully Grove case study in chapter 6 is an excellent example of a pocket neigh-
borhood. They are a series of detached, attached, and sometimes stacked homes ori-
ented around a shared green space that often integrate shared amenities, such as a
community house or workshop.
Here are the primary ways a cottage court is different than a pocket neighborhood.
Overall scale: Cottage courts are
typically built on smaller lots, often an individual lot or a couple typical lots
combined. Cottage courts create a strong sense of community but do not
create a neighborhood. They are a component of
a larger neighborhood.
Cottage courts typically have smaller houses: This includes height and
footprint.
• Cottage courts have smaller courtyard spaces.
• Cottage courts typically generate higher densities (if you are keeping track
or regulating with density).
The reason that these differences matter is that you may need a separate set of
standards, likely multiple zoning districts, to regulate the full variety of cottage courts
on smaller infill lots, where you want smaller -scale buildings, and an ordinance to
encourage pocket neighborhoods on larger lots. Pocket neighborhoods, which can
typically happen on slightly larger lots, likely above one acre, often require larger com-
munity spaces and integrate two-story buildings.
How to Regulate This Type
• Regulate a maximum height: Establish a maximum
height of one to one and a half stories.
• Rear building heights: When alleys are present, allow
the rear building to go up to two stories, but regulate a
maximum depth of the two story element.
• Regulate a minimum width and depth of the courtyard:
It is not unusual to see examples that are 25 ft. from
building face to building face. This minimum distance
needs to be regulated in your development standards/
zoning.
• Reduce side setbacks: An exception often needs to be
made to the required side setbacks in a zone. You could
have a smaller side setback on one-story buildings than
two -plus -story buildings.
• Allow for narrower drives: When alleys are not present,
a city needs to allow narrow driveways for buildings
and projects of less than ten to fifteen units to enable
this type, including front -loaded versions. This is often
controlled by a city's engineering or public works
department.
• Driveways are not courtyards: Regulate such that access
to garages or driveways do not count as courtyards.
This is important within a good design of this type,
because it provides outdoor space since there are no
private yards. The courtyards function as the focal point
for the residents, where formal activities and informal
interactions happen that build a sense of community.
• Allow attached units: Allow these types with attached
units in areas transitioning from single family to areas
with larger buildings/higher densities. Otherwise require
detached homes with a maximum of 8 ft. between them.
• Enable further housing choices: To cover a full spectrum
of housing choices you may have multiple zones that
enable different variations of cottage courtvpes.
MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING
Chapter 5 I Missing Middle Housing Types P 121
Minimum courtyard sizes and maximum size (height and
footprint) of buildings may vary between the zones.
• In a nuanced approach a city would have multiple
zones that allow different variations of this type:
• Zone one (small form and scale): Caps the height at
one story, requires detached units, and caps building
footprints at 500 sq. ft.
• Zone two (medium form and scale): Caps heights
at two stories, requires detached units, but allows
footprints as large as 1,200 sq. ft.
• Zone three (larger form and scale): Caps heights at
one and a half or two stories, allows attached units,
only regulates building depth, and allows a smaller
courtyard width.
(Above) Illustration of a typical cottage
court.
(Opposite) Courtyard variations with
larger and attached buildings that
should not fit within cottage court
zoning but are good types to allow in
other locations.
Cottage Court Examples:
1. City of Bend, Oregon
Bend Development Code — Section 3.6.200 (Cottage Developments)
Definition:
Cottage development means a grouping of small, detached single-family dwellings clustered
around a shared court or open space.
Development Standards:
• Minimum of 4 cottages and a maximum of 12 per development.
• Maximum floor area: 1,200 sq. ft. per cottage.
• Each unit must have access to a common open space.
• Minimum 400 sq. ft. of open space per unit.
• Parking must be located to the side or rear of units.
2. City of Raleigh, North Carolina
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) — Section 2.5.7.0
Cottage Court:
A form of development where multiple detached or attached dwelling units are located on a
single lot, arranged to front on a shared courtyard.
Key Requirements:
• 4 to 12 units per courtyard.
• Minimum courtyard area: 400 sq. ft. per unit.
• Each dwelling must front on and have direct access to the courtyard.
• Parking is generally grouped or shared, not in front of units.
3. City of Austin, Texas
Land Development Code — Section 25-2-1443 (Cottage Housing Development)
25
Definition:
A "cottage housing development" is a residential development of small detached structures
clustered around a common area.
Regulations:
• Maximum size per cottage: 1,100 sq. ft.
• Minimum common open space: 150 sq. ft. per cottage.
• Height limit: 1.5 stories or 25 feet.
• Reduced minimum lot sizes and setbacks allowed.
4. City of Redmond, Washington
Zoning Code — Section 20C.30.41 (Cottage Housing Developments)
Purpose:
To provide for a housing type that is small in scale and clustered to encourage community
interaction.
Standards:
• Units must be under 1,000 sq. ft.
• Clustering required around central open space.
• Shared pedestrian access required.
• Each unit must have a private yard (minimum 200 sq. ft.).
• Porches required to face common space.
5. City of Spokane, Washington
Municipal Code — Chapter 17C.110 (Residential Zones)
Cottage Housing:
A group of small single-family detached homes clustered around a shared open space and
providing community -oriented housing.
Highlights:
• Minimum of 4 and maximum of 12 units per site.
• Common courtyard required with minimum dimensions.
26
• Maximum unit size: 1,000 sq. ft.
• Shared vehicle access lanes preferred.
• Encourages front porches and pedestrian connectivity.
6. Juneau — Cottage Housing Development (CHD)
Juneau's ordinance, adopted in 2005, explicitly allows for cottage -style developments in its
urban core. According to a case study:
• Minimum lot size per unit varies by zoning district:
Typically involves 4-12 cottages clustered together, with design standards using a points
system —ensuring quality and compatibility with neighborhood character
27