Infill Housing & Coeur Housing

In 2020 and 2021, Planning Department staff collaborated with an ad hoc Coeur Housing Committee to develop a new infill housing code. Known as the Coeur Housing initiative, this effort focused on identifying appropriate locations for additional housing units while protecting established neighborhoods and maintaining quality design.

The committee held seven workshops, including two community meetings. Work was paused during the Comprehensive Plan Update and Historic Preservation Plan but continues to guide ongoing housing strategies.

Goal Create a new infill housing code that allows additional quality-designed housing units in suitable areas of the city.

Key Objectives

• Develop criteria for suitable infill housing sites and prepare a map of appropriate areas
• Designate neighborhoods for infill development while ensuring established single-family neighborhoods are not negatively impacted
• Allow a variety of housing types and styles, with densities decreasing as you move away from the downtown core (following a transect approach)
• Ensure units in residential neighborhoods are “house-scale” in appearance and character

Infill Best Practices

• Pedestrian-oriented design with front doors facing the street, open and inviting ground-floor spaces, and no blank walls or hidden corners
• Articulated building bases and step-backs for taller structures to better match street-scale
• High-quality architecture and landscaping
• Walkable sidewalks that connect to the broader transportation network
• Greater density allowed on larger lots, block ends, and mid-block locations
• Integration of landscaping to soften urban elements and protect pedestrians

Livability & Walkability Principles Infill housing should support place-making and public engagement. Preferred locations are within approximately 900 feet (a five-minute walk) of pedestrian and bike trails and public transportation routes where feasible.