City takes down height limits

The Shelton City Council on Nov. 19 eliminated building height limits in almost all zones, to hopefully encourage affordable and multifamily housing and other development.

No one spoke at the public hearing on the proposal. The council gave preliminary approval to the changes at its Sept. 3 meeting. The change required a 60-day review by the state Department of Commerce.

Applicable building codes will still regulate the materials and safety of buildings based on height and method of construction. Height restrictions will remain in place in the Airport Industrial zone to protect operations at Sanderson Field.

The ordinance now states "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."

Regulations on setbacks will remain so people can't build tall structures abutting their neighbor's property.

When asked, Jae Hill, the city's director community development, said no one has approached the city about building a structure more than two stories tall.

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.

At the Sept. 3 council meeting, Hill said he envisioned 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 said.