During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed the next phase of updating the land use code, focusing on commercial centers and corridors. Paul, the director of community development, emphasized the importance of this initiative, which follows a comprehensive audit completed in 2020 that aimed to align regulations with the city plan adopted in 2019. The council had previously approved foundational amendments and housing-related updates, paving the way for this new phase.

Planning manager Clay Frikey outlined the objectives of the second phase, which will address commercial corridors while also considering various other factors. He highlighted the need for council input on topics to explore, methods for community engagement, and the project timeline. The project management team, including Frikey, Sylvia Tatman Burris, and Megan Keith, will oversee the process, ensuring a focus on both operational and community engagement aspects.

The team presented exploratory questions to guide their work, such as enhancing clarity in the development review process and aligning the land use code with policy plans. They proposed three main work streams: focusing on commercial and mixed-use corridors, updating development standards, and clarifying processes and procedures. Each stream aims to support the city’s goals, including the advancement of a \"15-minute city\" concept, which seeks to bring essential services closer to residents.

The council was informed of ongoing state legislation that may impact the land use code updates, with plans to track compliance deadlines alongside the project’s progress. The engagement strategy includes a kickoff event for community input in the fall, followed by iterative sessions to refine policies and gather feedback.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to modernizing its land use regulations in alignment with community needs and strategic goals, setting the stage for a collaborative approach to urban development.