Taller buildings?

Don’t expect any skyscrapers sprouting soon in downtown Shelton, but four-and five-story buildings might arise in the near future.

The Shelton City Council on Sept. 3 gave preliminary approval to eliminating building height limits in almost all zones in hopes of encouraging affordable and multifamily housing and other development.

No one spoke at the public hearing on the proposal. The council can make the move official with a vote at its meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Shelton Civic Center.

If it passes, applicable building codes will still regulate the materials and safety of buildings based on height and method of construction. Height restrictions would remain in place in the Airport Industrial Zone to protect operations at Sanderson Field.

If passed, height limits for wireless facilities, freestanding signs, and accessory uses or structures shall be regulated by the specific content of each applicable zoning district or supplementary regulations.

“What this really does is signal that we’re open to innovative projects,” said Jae Hill, the city’s director of community and economic development. “And with these other regulations that we have in place it’s going to be compatible with the scale of the existing lots and development in our city.”

The City Council last year suggested changes to height restrictions at a study session. The topic was discussed again at a study session in August.

The discussion focused on “the intent of increasing the viability of development in certain parts of the city by removing building heights” from city codes, Hill said.

Regulations on setbacks would remain so people can’t build tall structures abutting their neighbor’s property, Hill said.

During the council discussions a year ago, the question arose “how do we know this isn’t going to cause unlimited height buildings within a residential neighborhood, like someone building a 20-foot building,” Hill said. “To be completely honest, the market economics are just not there.”

Hill said he envisions three- and four-story buildings popping up on appropriately sized parcels in the downtown and residential zones. The city might see a five-story building, he said.

Above that, “the market has to support the cost of construction and materials,” he added.

About a year and a half ago, a developer wanted to build a hotel in Shelton, but was discouraged by the 35-foot height limit, Hill said.

The proposed change won’t receive a second council vote until Nov. 5 because the change requires a 60-day review by the state Department of Commerce, Hill said.