Following a recent public hearing, the Duluth City Council voted to make amendments to the city’s Unified Development Code. The goal of the approved changes is to create a better nexus among the UDC, Comprehensive Plan Community Agenda and Downtown Master Plan as they relate to the Central Business District zoning district.

Most of the changes relate to architectural and site layout standards for the construction of townhouses in the district. Specifically, the amendments add a requirement for protective covenants approved by the Community Development Department. Changes also require two-car garages, underground utilities and guidelines for retaining walls, driveways, sidewalks and trails as well as fencing and landscaping.

The guidelines also set minimum lot size for townhomes at 1,800 square feet, with each unit having a minimum setback of five feet from the front, 10 feet from the side or corner and 12 feet from the rear. The minimum heated floor area is 2,200 square feet.

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A native of Columbus and a fine arts graduate of Clark Atlanta, Amy Sherald was chosen as the official portrait artist of former first lady Michelle Obama. On the same week that the portrait was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, it was also announced that Sherald was awarded the High Museum's 2018 David C. Driskell Prize. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Credit: Andrew Harnik