445 Ann Arbor Trl Plymouth, MI 48170-1625

Multi-Family Medium & High Density Future Land Uses and the RM-1 & RM-2 (Multiple-Family Residential) Zoning Districts The Multi-Family Medium and High Density Future Land Use designations do not correspond to the RM-1 and RM-2 Zoning Districts in all instances. When a property’s future land use differs from the zoning, lower or higher density residential future land use is present, often showing a single-family future land use. The density of the RM districts is regulated essentially by footnote (c) in the Schedule of Regulations. The density is determined by a formula based on the number and type of rooms in a multiple-family building, based on lot size. This approach may not consistently enforce or allow the maximum densities noted in the Master Plan: 18 units/acre for RM-1, and 27 dwelling units/acre for RM-2, respectively. Height, front and rear yards, usable open space or recreation area are regulated by footnotes (d) and (e). These regulations could be simplified and then consolidated in a separate section. Both zoning districts allow a long list of housing types as principal permitted uses: multiple-family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, sixplexes, stacked flats, townhomes/rowhouses and attached single-family units. The Multi-Family Residential - Medium Density Future Land Use category calls for “townhouse, row house, multiplexes, and various other styles of housing that mimic the pattern of single family residential uses, but in a higher density of 12-18 dwelling units per acre, with maximum building heights of 2.5 stories.” In contrast, The Multi-Family Residential - High Density Future Land Use category specifies that traditional apartment building forms should be in these areas, so allowances for duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, sixplexes, stacked flats, townhomes/rowhouses and attached singlefamily units does not match the Master Plan. A separate list of uses, and perhaps building forms, for each zoning district would implement the specifications in the Master Plan. Recommendations: In the next Master Plan update, determine the existing multiple-family buildings types that work best in the context of the City and then design zoning regulations based on those examples. Part of the analysis should be whether two distinct districts are needed and if a form-based approach is warranted. 14 In the next Zoning Ordinance update, the minimum lot size and maximum density should be clear, without formulas to determine a baseline. Those formulas could be used for exceptions if it were needed.