Title
Planning Commission Recommended Amendment to LDC regarding Comprehensive Plan
Brief Description: Planning Commission Recommended Amendment to LDC regarding Comprehensive Plan
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
The Planning Commission commenced review of several topics related to LDC amendments in recent months during the moratorium on applications. Planning Commission noted a request to review how reference to the Comprehensive Plan could be strengthened within the Land Development Code. Staff offers the following support information.
Staff has provided the attached reference document compiling references to the Comprehensive Plan within the Codified Ordinances. The document contains excerpts of the code with a link to the full text. Staff notes the specific references to the Land Development Code can be found in Chapters 1201 - 1213.
In coordination with the City Solicitor, staff contracted with OHM Advisors to provide assistance with the LDC 2026 Updates including this item. Of note, OHM Advisors assisted the City’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to draft the Comprehensive Plan.
The proposed level of amendment to Chapter 1201 is relatively minor and is intended to provide additional clarity to the relationship between the Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan. Planning Commission proceeded with a formal motion to City Council pursuant to Section 1203.03.
1203.03 CODE AMENDMENTS.
(a) Initiation. Applications for text or official zoning map amendments may be initiated by the following:
(1) By motion of the Planning Commission;
(2) By adoption of a resolution by City Council;
(3) By application for a rezoning by one or more of the owners, holders of options to purchase, or lessees of the property for which the amendment or supplement is requested
Upon receipt of the recommendation from the Planning Commission, Council may determine if they wish to proceed with the amendment process per Chapter 9.02 of the Charter that indicates:
…or any ordinance referring to zoning or building codes or other regulations controlling the use or development of land be passed unless and until Council shall have submitted the same to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation.
Timing Considerations
None
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends City Council provide applicable direction regarding the Planning Commission recommendation. If Council wishes to commence a LDC amendment process, this item could be a standalone item submitting in the coming weeks or grouped with a possible administrative based amendments staff would like to propose to Council by June of 2026.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Brian Griffith, Asst City Manager
Greg Hannan, Community Development Director