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The city is considering a request from a developer to allow front-loaded garages on townhomes and allow vinyl siding on new construction in an effort to produce attainable workforce housing and help with the city’s ongoing housing crisis.

The current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires that garages on townhomes in the city under 50 feet have to be rear entry. Smith Douglas asked the city to consider removing that restriction either by variance or with changes to the UDO, possibly by an overlay district.

Joe Padilla, with Smith Douglas Homes, said rear-loaded garages are cost prohibitive, plus their customers prefer front-loaded garages.

“First of all, it does increase land development costs. It costs us, we estimate another $5,000 per lot to alley load a townhome because you’re putting in an alley in addition to the front street,” Padilla said. “We also firmly believe in this market, most townhome buyers are looking for a traditional, front-loaded townhome, and that’s what we’re trying to build here.”

Padilla said the front-loaded townhomes they offer allow for back patios or other rear living spaces and backyards.

Padilla also asked the city to consider removing its restriction on vinyl siding, saying it also increases development costs. 

The city’s UDO currently forbids vinyl siding from being used on all new construction. The city allows vinyl for home renovations but not for new homes.

Smith Douglas made the request, saying the potential changes would help bring new attainable, affordable housing.

Padilla said the new development will include a mix of for-purchase homes, some of which will be townhomes. He said they expect the homes to start in the low $200 thousand range. He said their company does not do and is not interested in rental properties.

City Planner Mark Kostial noted that a variance for front-loaded garages would not be allowed under city code, so the request would require a change to the UDO. 

Kostial said an overlay district is an option but noted the city’s consultant who helped develop the UDO recommended eliminating overlay districts. Currently, the only overlay district in the city is required for the airport.

“As for the vinyl signings, we recently adopted an ordinance where vinyl signing remains prohibitive in new construction. However, in the interest of increasing the esthetics of our existing homes, specifically within our mill villages, we do now allow for the installation of vinyl siding,” Kostial said.

Ultimately, the council agreed to send the issue to the planning board for a recommendation.