Background 

Following the completion and adoption of the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Staff has begun reviewing the city's Zoning Code. This includes identifying areas which need to be amended for consistency with the plan. Over the next year, Staff will continue to bring forward needed revisions to the code which improve the use of the code for residents and businesses, as well as better align it with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  

Proposed Changes 

The proposed changes would amend two sections of existing city code, and would add an new zoning district for parks and open space. 

First, City Code Section 151.002 would be modified to add or modify more than 60 definitions. This update provides more clarity on a number of typical uses which occur within the city.  

Second, City Code Section 151.007 would be modified to include a number of newly defined uses. The table has also been edited to remove redundant language and other minor changes. This section of code would also see the addition of 151.007.K Specific Conditions, which lists all specific conditions or regulations associated with the uses in the Use Table. These regulations have previously been listed within zoning chapters, and moving them to follow the table will make the code more user friendly.

Finally, Chapter 151.052 Parks and Open Space (PO) will be added to the city's zoning districts. 

Prior Planning Commission Review 

At it's regularly scheduled meeting on June 4, 2020 the Planning Commission was asked for feedback on the proposed text amendments, and specifically on the following items: 

• Do the proposed definitions encompass all possible uses or should things be added or modified?

• What specific conditions should be required for Utility Service Structures, Electrical Substations, Water Towers and Sanitary Lift Stations, such as heights, landscaping and screening, etc.  
• Retail Centers which are one or more stores which are greater than 50,000 square feet currently require a Planned Unit Development, should this continue to be a requirement? 

The Planning Commission determined that the definitions as proposed were sufficient, and directed staff to include requirements for landscaping and screening for Utility Service Structures such as Water Towers, Electrical Substations and Sanitary Lift Stations. Staff was also directed to keep the requirement for Retail Centers to be Planned Unit Developments. The Planning Commission tabled the agenda item and the public hearing until the following month's meeting. 

The changes requested by the Planning Commission are reflected within the draft Ordinance. 

Zoning Considerations

Following the adoption of these changes, Staff will work to rezone all city-owned park properties to the new category, Parks and Open Space.