Dayton residents raise concerns about zoning changes

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Dayton residents have raised several concerns about proposed zoning regulation changes. The concerns stem from desires to avoid government overreach and not to emulate some of Ranchester’s regulations. 

Ultimately, minimum lot sizes for residentially zoned properties fall at the center of those concerns.

Presently, Dayton’s minimum lot size is 9,000 square feet for corner lots and 7,500 for all other lots. The proposed changes would increase the minimum lot size to 12,000 square feet for corner lots and 10,500 square feet for all other lots.

Councilor Dan Grover took issue with the proposed increase in minimum lot size requirements. He said prospective Dayton residents should be able to purchase a 7,500 square foot lot for a starter home.

“The lot price is going to go up,” Grover said.

Grover also criticized a provision related to detached structures on a residential property. He said, if a residential property has enough space while adhering to setback requirements, the owner should be able to construct an additional structure detached from the home.

Public commenters during Dayton Town Council’s meeting last week shared concerns about the more than 50-page document including all of the town’s zoning regulations. Mayor Clifford Reed said a large majority of the document and its changes are intended to clarify existing provisions and text.

“Ninety percent of this is the same thing it was decades ago,” Reed said last week.

The proposed zoning ordinance changes have been in the works for about five years.

Reed said he’s not sure what the town’s next steps will be, but they’ll likely center around finding a compromise to quell some concerns about minimum lot sizes and detached structures.

This story was published on September 18, 2024.