During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed significant changes to the permitting process for residential pool construction and a proposed land use amendment for a property at 300 Burrell Street.

Council members expressed a consensus on waiving certain fees associated with pool permits, particularly for existing pools affected by construction issues. Councilman Ford emphasized that the city would not be losing revenue since the fees were not being collected in the first place. He suggested that while testing for construction quality should be conducted, it should be the responsibility of the state rather than the city.

The council also addressed the future land use map amendment and zoning change for the Burrell Street property, which is currently vacant. The proposal involves changing the land designation from commercial to residential and establishing a planned unit development (PUD) zoning classification. The developer, Jenner Group, has revised their plans based on feedback from previous meetings, reducing the number of units from 48 to 42 and shifting from townhomes to single-family homes.

The assistant city manager presented a detailed analysis showing that the proposed residential development would generate more property tax revenue compared to potential commercial use, which has been deemed unfeasible due to site constraints. The developer highlighted the project's alignment with the city's comprehensive plan, aiming to provide affordable housing options in a community with a high median home price.

Council members expressed mixed feelings about the loss of commercial space but acknowledged the expert recommendations suggesting that the site is better suited for residential development. Concerns were raised about the density of the proposed project and its compatibility with the character of the city. However, the council ultimately moved to direct staff to revise the permitting process and proceed with the proposed changes for the Burrell Street property, reflecting a commitment to enhancing residential options while balancing community needs.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on zoning issues, indicating ongoing deliberations about the city's development strategy.