ZCC responds favorably to principles for involving the public in project review

ZCC Regular Session

The final report from the Common Ground for Building Our City workshops put forth eight principles for the ZCC to consider as it determines how the public fits into the project review process for the new zoning code. The commission agreed to consider the report’s findings and explain whether or not any of its recommendations will be incorporated into the code and why. The ZCC agreed with six of the eight principles, but was quick to emphasize that it was not on board with every recommended action and that additional stakeholder comments will be considered as the code language related to public participation is drafted.

The series of three workshops was designed to coordinate a dialogue between developers and community groups about the role the public should play in the development review process. Each group met separately before joining to find areas of agreement. Based on a detailed accounting of the activities at each meeting, the workshop organizers were able to identify eight principles. Each principle reflects the points of common ground that emerged from discussions on key topics, along with an account of where tensions remain and recommended actions to put the principles into practice.

1. Every neighborhood should have a similar, widely known way to convene civic groups and concerned individuals for input into project review.
2. All projects of a certain level of impact, whether as-of-right or requiring variances, would benefit from public input.
3. When assessing a project’s impact, go beyond size to look at how a project impacts or fits into its surroundings.
4. Issues of design and aesthetics should be reviewed, but on a basis separate from the parameters of zoning.
5. Early and effective notification about project proposals helps improve outcomes both for the neighborhood and the developer.
6. The project review process should be more transparent and predictable, in ways that inform, invite and engage constructive participation.
7. Clear review timelines should be set as part of a predictable public input process. This would reduce uncertainty and cost for the developer while ensuring the community gets sufficient time to assess, discuss and comment.
8. The role of City Council members in zoning and project review should be made explicit and transparent.

The ZCC’s work plan and civic engagement committees met to evaluate the report and formulate a response, which was presented by chair Alan Greenberger. The group fundamentally agreed with all but two of the principles – number 4 related to issues of design and aesthetics and number 8 on the role of City Council. The commission acknowledged that it is not appropriate for a project review process to mediate issues that are purely aesthetic, but notes that aesthetics can have significant impacts on a neighborhood. “Good design matters,” Greenberger said. “It is our job to articulate standards that get to the issue of impacts as much as possible.” In reference to City Council, the group determined that any recommended changes or actions are not within the purview of the ZCC.

Reaction from a member of the development community who participated in the workshops suggested that the principles do not represent the common ground and questioned whether any follow-up was planned. The ZCC explained that the Common Ground report is just one aspect of public comment being considered. Although it is a meaningful document, valuable for the level of detail and strong participation, all submitted comments will be reflected in future drafts of the code.

Click here to view the Common Ground report.