Projects Open For Public Comment
At the meeting of June 15, 2026, the Independence Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a draft set of revisions to the Independence Development Code that would promote infill development in existing neighborhoods in a manner that respects the character of the neighborhoods. The public hearing will be held at the Independence Civic Center and start at 7:00 pm
What is the Problem?
The City of Independence is projected to need around 2,000 new homes over the next 20 years. In early 2025, the city completed a Housing Production Strategy that outlined ways to help achieve this growth. Among the goals included strategies to:
1. Allow a wider range of middle housing types in the Low Density Residential (RS) and Medium Density Residential (RM) Zones.
2. Allow cottage cluster housing.
3. Allow for small lot detached homes in the Medium Density Residential (RM) and High Density Residential (RH) Zones.
4. Improve standards and review processes for small infill housing projects.
What is Proposed?
This project would help achieve these goals through a series of changes to the Independence Development Code. The amendments would:
1. Expand the allowed housing types permitted in residential zones.
2. Slightly reduce the minimum lot size required.
3. Tweak the residential design standards to ensure the standards adequately address the additional types of uses that may be constructed.
For More Information
A draft of the code is available here
A video that explains the project is available here
More Information – English(PDF)
More Information – Spanish(PDF)
If you have any questions, please contact Fred Evander at fevander@ci.independence.or.us.
The Planning Commission is discussing potential revisions to the park and open space dedication requirements for new subdivisions and apartments. Reconsideration of the standards was suggested as part of the recently amended Park and Open Space Master Plan for Independence.
For Subdivisions
What is the Problem?
Existing standards in the Independence Development Code require the dedication of 6.25 percent of the land in new subdivisions for parks and open space purposes, or the payment of a fee-in-lieu of 13 percent of the market value of the land in lieu of the land dedication. As written, however, the requirements do not offer guidance about appropriate sizes or locations of parks, or provide any detail about floodplains, wetlands, or stormwater ponds and whether they are “suitable and adaptable for park and recreation uses.”
What is Proposed?
The proposed revisions would establish basic standards for park suitability and articulate new standards for subdivisions that are tailored for different portions of the community A flexible option that would allow developers to suggest an alternative approach to the City standards is also included in the draft.
For Apartment Development
What is the Problem?
Existing standards in the Independence Development Code additionally require a certain amount of common open space/landscaping and private open space for all new apartment developments. The standards, however, vary depending on the location of the development and do not include any sort of standards that require usable open space (such as a sports court or swimming pool).
What is Proposed?
The proposed draft would establish three sets of standards that would apply to multifamily housing (usable open space, total landscaping/open space, and private open space). This multi-factor approach would not require large blocks of landscaping in contexts that are more urban in nature but would rely on smaller patches of “usable open space” to serve as recreation amenities. More suburban settings, on the other hand, would be required to have landscaping that covers a set portion of the site and includes a certain amount of usable space.
For More Information
A draft of the code is available here
If you have any questions, please contact Fred Evander at fevander@ci.independence.or.us.
Projects Under Construction
Southwest Crossing Subdivision (SUB 2021-01) – 5995 13th Street S – 67 Lots – Preliminary Subdivision Approved. Project Under Construction
West Coast Metals and Products (SDR 2024-02) – 601 Stryker Road – Site Design Review Approved. Engineering Approved.
Other Ongoing Projects
Station 203 (SDR 2021-01, CA 2021-07) – 203 Monmouth Street – Site Design Review and Certificate of Historic Appropriateness Approved.
