Planning Commission Packet 10-04-2018

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                                                       CITY OF MUSKEGON
                                                     PLANNING COMMISSION
                                                        SPECIAL MEETING

DATE OF MEETING:                       Thursday, October 4, 2018
TIME OF MEETING:                       4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING:                      Commission Chambers, First Floor, Muskegon City Hall


                                                                    AGENDA



  I. Roll Call

  II. Public Hearings

 III. New Business

 IV. Old Business

                A. Case 2018-26: Staff-initiated request to rezone 372, 380, 388, 394, 398, 406, and 414
                Houston Ave; 1246, 1252 and 1258 5th St; and 1148 6th St from R-3, High Density Single
                Family Residential to Form Based Code, Urban Residential.

  V. Other

 VI. Adjourn




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        notice to the City of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Muskegon by
                                                              writing or calling the following:
                                                                  Ann Meisch, City Clerk
                                                                     933 Terrace Street




                                                                           1
                                            STAFF REPORT
                                             October 4, 2018

Case 2018-26: Staff-initiated request to rezone 372, 380, 388, 394, 398, 406, and 414 Houston Ave; 1246,
1252 and 1258 5th St; and 1148 6th St from R-3, High Density Single Family Residential to Form Based
Code, Urban Residential.

SUMMARY
   1. Staff is proposing the following rezonings from dense single-family residential to Form Based Code,
      Urban Residential. This would allow for more building types; including rowhouses, duplexes and
      small multi-plexes (3-6) units.
   2. Community EnCompass would like to build a new four-unit home on the vacant lot at 380 Houston
      Ave. This lot previously held a four-unit home before it was destroyed in a fire. Half of this block is
      already zoned FBC, UR and hosts several large homes. This block could adequately support larger
      homes with the large alley and lots that could support multiple cars parking in the rear.
   3. Community EnCompass also has developed plans to build attached homes on the three lots at 1246-
      1258 5th St, which are owned by the City and County.
   4. Please see the enclosed sections of the Form Based Code, including the Urban Residential Context
      Area and the associated housing types that are allowed.
   5. Please see the enclosed letter of support (for the 1246,1252 and 1258 5th St properties) from the
      Nelson Neighborhood Improvement Association.
   6. This request was tabled at the August 16 Planning Commission meeting. Staff delivered a
      presentation at the September 19 Nelson Neighborhood Improvement Association meeting. Many in
      attendance were not supportive of additional attached units in the neighborhood.

   NELSON NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING STATS

   Below is an overview of the housing types in Nelson Neighborhood, according to the 2015 Target
   Marker Analysis. These are measured by units, not individual buildings. Example: 350 duplex units
   would indicate there are 150 duplex structures.

       Rent/Own

             Renter Occupied: 2,058 (53%)
             Owner Occupied: 1,792 (46.5%)

       Housing Units by Total Units in the Structure

             Single Family, detached: 947 (46.7%)
             Duplex: 350 (17.3%)
             3-4 Units: 204 (10%)
             5-9 Units: 67 (3.3%)
             10-19 Units: 18 (0.9%)
             20-49 Units: 74 (3.6%)
             50 or more: 314 (15.5%)




                                                       2
                                          HOUSING STATS MAP

Green = Single-Family Rental     Blue = Duplex        Purple = Small Multi-Plex      Yellow= Large Multi-Plex




    This map was prepared in 2017 with statistics gathered by staff from analyzing assessment records in BS&A

                                                       3
               1246, 1252, 1258 5th St




380 Houston Ave (Community EnCompass Property)




Existing Homes in the same block as 380 Houston Ave
                         4
Zoning Map




    5
Aerial Map (Please note the map is outdated. All parcels at 1246, 1252 and 1258 5th St are now vacant)




                                  Size Standards by Housing Type




                                                  6
                                   Community EnCompass Proposals

Below are renderings for the two Community EnCompass projects. Please keep in mind that this is not a site
plan review and other housing types could be placed on these lots in the event the rezonings are approved.




                                                    7
STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends approval of the request because it follows the recommendations of all of the recent
planning efforts, including the Master Plan, Imagine Muskegon and the Downtown and Lakeshore
Redevelopment Plan, as noted below. Also, the housing types allowed in the Form Based Code match what
is recommended in the Target Market Analysis. Explanations of how this request relates to these
plans/studies are in red.

1997 Master Land Use Plan
    Zoning regulations associated with the conversion of single-family homes to multiple-family use
      should contain standards ensuring that converted dwellings have sufficient on-site parking, suitable
      locations for trash receptacles which are customarily stored out of doors, sufficient yard/play areas,
      and exterior façade controls.

       Form Based Code requires duplexes and small multiplexes to be built to certain standards, so the
       chance of converting an existing single-family home to multi-family is extremely low. Form Based
       Code will also require all homes to be built on appropriate sized lots (see the “Size Standards by
       Housing Type” chart). Form Based Code also has more stringent design standards, which match the
       design types of existing homes in the neighborhood. The code also encourages alley usage for cars
       and trash receptacles.

      Promote ongoing housing in-fill programs. As part of the in-fill effort, work with area builders to
       determine possible joint public/private partnerships for the construction of affordable housing.

       Form Based Code allows for a wide selection of unit sizes and price points. It will also ensure that
       infill development is built to the scale of the existing neighborhood.

2003 Imagine Muskegon Plan
    Downtown should be designed to accommodate various age groups, socio-economic backgrounds,
       and cultural and racial heritage.

       The 2015 Target Market Analysis states that a majority of these types of target markets are looking to
       locate in attached units, which could be achieved through Form Based Code. Single-family housing,
       which limits housing options, is the only legal conforming use is R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts, which is
       the majority of Nelson neighborhood.

      A mix of housing opportunities that provide choices to a wide range of people, including high-quality,
       affordable apartments, condominiums, cottages, and single-family homes.

       Single-family zoning dominates the Nelson Neighborhood. Large apartment buildings are starting to
       become popular downtown. However, we have a lack of “missing middle” housing, which can be
       achieved through Form Based Code.

2008 Downtown and Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
    Context sensitive architecture will reflect the character of existing buildings.
    Amend the zoning ordinance to provide standards regulating architecture, site utilization,
      landscaping, window coverage, pedestrian amenities, and building form, so new buildings integrate
      well with existing structures.

       Form Based Code requires stringent design guidelines that were created to fit in with the existing
       scale and architecture of the neighborhood.

                                                     8
2015 Target Market Analysis
     By a conservative estimate, Nelson neighborhood could support 110 attached units per year over the
       next 5 years. Compared to only 8 to 10 single family homes.
     Almost 70% of the target markets identified are seeking attached units.

    We see that there is a demand for attached units, which could be met through Form Based Code. There
    are currently only 23 vacant lots in the Nelson neighborhood that would allow for “missing middle”
    housing types. See map below.




During the workshops for the creation of the Form Based Code, attendees were asked to prioritize the
following goals. The top two selected relate to the current rezoning request.

           1.   Facilitating higher density development/adding new residents to the downtown
           2.   Fostering economic development/building the tax base for the city.
           3.   Balancing transportation modes/enhancing choices (i.e. walk, bike, transit, vehicle)
           4.   Providing access to businesses, community attractions, and schools
           5.   Supporting transit ridership through available parking (park n’ ride)
           6.   Providing ample and affordable parking

DELIBERATION
I move that the request to rezone 372, 380, 388, 394, 398, 406, and 414 Houston Ave; 1246, 1252 and 1258
5th St; and 1148 6th St from R-3, High Density Single Family Residential to Form Based Code, Urban
Residential be recommended to the City Commission for (approval/denial).



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