February 9 vote on draft zoning code questioned as revisions continue to be made

ZCC Regular Session

The Zoning Code Commission released a change memo today detailing the latest revisions to the December 2010 referral draft of the zoning code, but ZCC members also received a packet of comments from more than 35 groups and individuals that are still being evaluated. Although changes are ongoing, ZCC chair Alan Greenberger will ask the Commission to vote to send the draft code to City Council on February 9. “We are not sending forward a perfect document,” Greenberger said, “but we are moving on so that Council has enough time to do what it needs to do.” ZCC member and Councilman Bill Green was quick to raise concerns about process and timing. “City Council will not focus on zoning until after the elections,” Green said. “We have taken great care to provide an open and transparent process and I don’t want in the end for the public or the Commission not to have time to truly reflect on what is being put forth.”

Consultant Don Elliott of Clarion Associates presented the most significant changes made to the draft code since December and encouraged ZCC members and the public to read the change memo thoroughly for details on all revisions. “A lot of changes have been made to development standards and form and design controls,” Elliott said. More revisions are likely to be made over the next week in response to public comments that are still being evaluated and internal reviews by the Law Department.

While some ZCC members and public participants asked for clarification on particular changes, most comments focused on process and next steps. Commissioner John Westrum asked when the final referral draft would be available for review and Craig Schelter of the Development Workshop requested information on the effective date of the new code and a schedule for remapping. Director Eva Gladstein explained that staff and the Work Plan Committee will be dealing with unresolved issues over the next week and will post a revised draft on February 2. A City Council briefing on process and timeline is scheduled for February 3. Before the next meeting on February 9, staff will provide an outline of the adoption process, including key dates and deadlines. Alan Greenberger added that staff will do their best to lay out a plan for remapping, but that it is too early to set a schedule for each district.

Mr. Greenberger reminded attendees that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 9, and that the ZCC will need to decide then if it is time to move forward with a vote. Commissioners Greg Pastore and Emanuel Kelly stressed the need to focus on substantive changes at this stage and Councilman Green reiterated that he would like the public to have time to comment on the draft before the ZCC votes. Greenberger added that once the draft code is sent to City Council, the Commission will continue to meet monthly during Council deliberations. The schedule may be relaxed to quarterly meetings after that. Mr. Greenberger anticipates another 10 months to a year of work left for the ZCC, as sign regulations are addressed and code language is refined.

View January 26, 2011 Change Memo and Powerpoint Presentation.