TOPEKA (KSNT) – City officials are considering changing the zoning code to provide more flexibility on developing multi-family residential projects.
The Topeka City Council voted to approve the ordinance introduced by City Manager Robert Perez on Feb. 17. It will provide greater flexibility for the development of duplex and multi-family housing in commercial, downtown and mixed-use zoning districts in Topeka.
Current zoning code allows for residential units above ground level floors and in basements, but housing on the ground level is restricted based on special use requirements. These requirements include being located near non-residential zones and being located in a building meant for housing.
The city council’s approval of the ordinance will remove those limitations for ground floor multi-family units. Duplexes would be allowed to be built in some commercial zones but will require conditional use permits.
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The ordinance still applies limitations for residential developments on ground levels on the segments on Kansas Avenue, such as from Sixth Avenue to 10th Avenue, in downtown Topeka and in north Topeka, from Gordon Street to Norris Street. The new ordinance cites those areas’ importance for community gathering and economic activity.
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