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During a rare Thursday LaGrange Mayor and City Council Meeting, the city held a public hearing and first reading for a potential Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendment that would allow front-loading, rear-loading or no garages on townhomes within the city.

The second November LaGrange Council meeting, traditionally on the fourth Tuesday, was moved forward to Thursday, Nov. 21 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

In August, representatives from developer Smith Douglas Homes requested that the council consider amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to allow front-loading garages and vinyl siding on a potential townhome development. The developer initially requested a variance to allow for both, but City Planner Mark Kostial explained that the city only allows variances for dimensional requirements.

At the time, the developer said removing the restrictions would make the homes more affordable. 

The council denied the request to allow vinyl siding on new construction but called for a public hearing to consider allowing front-loading garages. Currently, the city only allows rear-loading garages on townhomes within the city,

Councilwoman and builder Darby Pippen said that the rear-loading garage requirements could cause homes to be more expensive. Pippen explained that rear-loading garages can significantly increase developer costs due to developers having to pay to pave alleyways for rear entrances.

Removing the requirement would also potentially allow for more green space in backyards. 

Ultimately, the council voted to go with the planning board’s recommendation to deny the vinyl siding request but did call for a public hearing to hear comments on the front-loading garage request. 

During the public hearing on Nov. 21, no one from the public spoke in favor or against the potential change.

The potential UDO amendment is expected to come to a vote at the Dec. 10 council meeting.