City preps to include duplexes in R-1 zoning
By Terry Murry on Monday, May 24th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Cities throughout Oregon are having to rework their zoning codes to allow duplexes in areas that had been limited to single-family dwellings only.
“We have to, we don’t have any choice, allow duplexes in R-1 zones,” Pendleton Mayor John Turner said.
The Oregon Legislature passed a bill that requires medium-sized cities must allow duplexes into those zones. It further states that the standards for duplexes must not be more restrictive than those for single family homes.
“We’ve been trying to figure out ways to do infill of existing lots, where you can get houses built that might have a little bit more occupancy than just a single family home,” Turner said.
One way to do that is to reduce parking standards for duplexes to one parking space per unit. The city’s code currently requires three spaces for duplexes. The council will hold a public hearing and vote on the change at its next regular meeting on June 1, Turner said.
