In a recent meeting of the Corvallis Planning Commission, city officials revisited a critical issue regarding housing standards in the RS6 and RS9 zones. The discussion centered on the complexities of middle housing regulations, particularly the requirement for private outdoor space for each dwelling unit.

As the meeting unfolded, planners highlighted the challenges posed by current standards that mandate outdoor space scaling with the number of dwelling units. This requirement, they argued, is not only impractical but also conflicts with state regulations outlined in OAR 660, Division 46, which governs middle housing. The planners proposed a significant change: to eliminate the specific outdoor space requirement for duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, suggesting that such a standard is unenforceable and unnecessary.

The planners provided a detailed analysis of how existing dimensional standards already ensure adequate outdoor space. For instance, even without the specific outdoor space requirement, a triplex would still have a minimum backyard area exceeding the mandated 48 square feet per unit. They illustrated this with real-world examples, demonstrating that the proposed changes would not negatively impact the overall design or livability of new developments.

The discussion also touched on the implications of these changes for various housing types, including single-family homes, townhomes, and cottage clusters, which would remain unaffected. The planners emphasized that the proposed adjustments would streamline regulations while still adhering to state law, ultimately fostering a more flexible and practical approach to housing development in Corvallis.

As the meeting concluded, the commission was left to consider the proposal to strike the outdoor space requirement from the code, a move that could reshape the landscape of housing in the city. The outcome of this discussion may pave the way for more efficient housing solutions, reflecting a growing need for adaptability in urban planning.