Planning Commission Packet - January 27, 2026

Home Browse Search

Duplex (Side-by-side) – A one to two-story detached structure that consists of two dwelling units arranged side-by- side, each with an entry from the street. This type has the appearance of a small- to-medium sized single-family house and may include a rear yard. Duplex (Stacked) – A two to two-and-a- half-story detached structure that consists of two dwelling units arranged one above the other, each with an entry from the street. This type has the appearance of a small-to-medium sized single-family house, may include a rear yard, and fits on narrower lots than the side-by-side duplex. Quadplex – A detached two to two-and- a-half-story structure with four dwelling units, two on the ground floor and two above, with shared or individual entrances from the street. This type has the appear- ance of a medium-sized single-family house and may include a rear yard. This type is attractive to developers by gener- ating four units on a typical 65’- 80’ lot. Courtyard Building – A medium-to- large sized one to three-and-a-half-story detached structure consisting of multiple side-by-side and/or stacked dwelling units oriented around a courtyard or series of courtyards. The courtyard replaces the function of a rear yard and is more open to the street in low intensity neighborhoods and less open to the street in more urban settings. Each unit is accessed from the courtyard and shared stairs provide access up to three units. Cottage Court – A group of small one to one-and-a-half-story, detached struc- tures arranged around a shared court visible from the street. The shared court is an important community-enhancing element and unit entrances are from the shared court. It replaces the function of a rear yard. The rear-most building can be up to two stories. Townhome – A small-to medium-sized attached structure that consists of three to six multistory dwelling units placed side-by-side. Entries are on the narrow side of the unit and typically face a street or courtyard. The street façades have entrances and avoid garages. Multiplex – A detached two-and-a-half- story structure that consists of five to 12 dwelling units arranged side-by-side and/ or stacked, typically with a shared entry from the street. This type has the appear- ance of a medium-to-large sized single- family home and does not include a rear yard. Triplex – A small-to-medium sized detached structure with three to three- and-a-half-stories that consists of three units typically stacked on top of each other on consecutive floors. Triplexes have one entry for the ground floor unit and a shared entry for those above. This type does not include a rear yard. Live-Work – A small- to medium-sized attached or detached structure consisting of one dwelling unit above or behind a fire-separated flexible ground floor space that can accommodate a range of non-residential uses. This housing type is typically two to three-and-a-half-stories tall. The flex space and residential unit typically have separate street entrances. The flex space typically has a taller height, minimum 10 feet, and a storefront. This type does not include a rear yard. Missing Middle Housing Types Missing middle housing types range from low density duplexes to mid density multiplexes and triplexes and are under represented in Elk River’s housing stock. These housing types provide opportunities for the city to increase the diversity of its housing stock while maintaining the neighborhood character and small-town feel Elk River residents love. Missing middle housing types that the city should consider accommodating more broadly include: NOTE: Houseal Lavigne illustration based on Congress for New Urbanism diagram of missing middle housing types by Opticos Design, Inc. Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Housing Plan 35 Page 85 of 110