AGENDA #9

MEMORANDUM

to:                  Mayor and Town Council

from:            Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

subject:    Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendments Higher Density Residential Zoning Districts and Resource Conservation District Floor Area Ratios

date:             May 5, 2008

PURPOSE

Enactment of the attached ordinances would change the Land Use Management Ordinance provisions to create higher density residential zoning districts and increase the floor area ratios in the Resource Conservation District.  These proposed changes to the Land Use Management Ordinance are described in the attached memorandum.

MANAGER’S REVISED RECOMMENDATION

The proposed Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment would create new higher density residential zoning districts and increase the floor area ratios in the Resource Conservation District.  The Council would control where the zoning districts may be applied.

It is my opinion that the proposed changes to the Land Use Management Ordinance could benefit the community by: 1) creating options for the Council’s consideration with respect to higher density residential development; 2) allowing more options for higher residential density, thereby creating a more diverse mix of housing types, including affordable housing; and 3) continuing to protect the environmentally sensitive Resource Conservation District by requiring Special Use Permit approval for the greater floor area ratios. 

I recommend that the Council enact the attached revised Ordinances [2008-05-05/O-4a and 2008-05-05/O-4b] approving the proposed Land Use Management Ordinance text amendments.