City Council Meeting - 2024-03-18

Detailed briefing

CITY COUNCIL — March 18, 2024 • Council approved the consent agenda after adding an application for the annual Bowling on Main Street event. A separate DDA request was temporarily withdrawn from the agenda. • Council approved vacating the portion of Washington Street north of Fourth Street that adjoins two homes. The approval included retaining an easement for city access to the alley, maintaining the area as a driveway, prohibiting construction within the easement, addressing drainage problems, and removing the parking area in front of George Pete’s home. One council member voted no. Staff said the city still needs specific legal language and a final resolution. • Staff presented a proposed overhaul of the zoning code. The proposal would consolidate 17 zoning districts into nine, create or reorganize overlay districts, permit accessory dwelling units in specified districts, allow flag lots under stated dimensional standards, revise rules for duplexes and triplexes, and establish an Administrative Review Committee for certain applications. • The proposal would raise the Central Business District’s maximum building height from 30 feet to 42 feet, with limits tied to the number of stories and rooftop decks. It would also lower the minimum dwelling size from 864 to 560 square feet. Council members questioned both provisions, along with flag lots, home occupations, downtown development, and whether additional safeguards are needed. • Public comment was extensive and divided. Many speakers asked council to delay action, provide broader notice to property owners, examine infrastructure and financial effects, or reject the proposal. Several linked their concerns to the Redevelopment Ready Communities program. Planning Commission members and other speakers said that program did not drive their zoning deliberations and argued that the update would simplify the code, expand housing options, and prepare for demographic change. • Council unanimously postponed approval of Ordinance 439 and scheduled a public hearing for May 6. Council asked residents to return with specific proposed changes rather than general opposition. No final zoning-code decision was made. • Staff announced that the Bluff Stability Committee’s first meeting is March 20 at 11 a.m. City offices will be closed March 29 for Good Friday. Staff also reported increased subscriptions to city email notices. Worth watching: 1. The specific zoning revisions proposed before the May 6 hearing, especially downtown height, minimum home size, flag lots, home occupations, and density. 2. Completion of the Washington Street easement language and final resolution. 3. The unresolved airport-property lease discussion; the transcript ends before the closed-session vote is complete. Upcoming: Bluff Stability Committee on March 20 at 11 a.m.; city offices closed March 29; zoning public hearing May 6. Why it matters: Council delayed a major zoning decision to allow more public review while advancing a conditional transfer of city right-of-way.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.