West Haven Development News

West Haven Considers R3 Zoning Overhaul and Landscaping Ordinance Updates

Staff presented proposed changes to the R3 zoning ordinance to better align with the city's general plan update and create more specific density designations. Currently, the R3 zone relies on the general plan map for density, which is an uncommon practice. The proposal is to break the R3 zone into four distinct zones (RM5, RM10, RM12, RM24) corresponding to general plan density designations, similar to existing residential zones. This would provide clearer standards and more flexibility. The commission discussed the definitions of multi-family housing, townhomes, and the implications of these zones for different housing types. There was also discussion on the necessity of certain landscaping requirements for single-family homes and the challenges of enforcement, with a general sentiment leaning towards less city regulation in private yards, but agreement on prohibiting turf in park strips and potentially adding design guidelines for rock landscaping. The commission also reviewed proposed changes to landscaping requirements for commercial and multifamily developments, including parking lot landscaping and requirements for vacant land.