Planning staff told the commission that the next meeting, Oct. 20, will include further review of the city’s zoning and subdivision ordinance update, with Article 4 and Article 8 materials to be distributed to commissioners for review.

Staff said Article 4 addresses review procedures and processing of development-related requests and Article 8 covers alternative development regulations, including tiny homes and mixed residential-housing options. Staff said they were still finalizing revisions with a consultant and expected materials to be posted to the city website and distributed to commissioners ahead of the Oct. 20 meeting.

Commissioners also flagged two draft state bills identified by staff: AB449, described as a bill that would require municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units on lots with existing single-family homes, and AB451, described as legislation that could allow use of residential tax-increment financing districts for residential development. A commissioner asked staff to monitor the bills and consider implications for the local ordinance update.

Separately, a commissioner relayed a constituent concern about a wind-shear storm that removed arborvitae screening between the Janesville Mall and Milton Lawn Cemetery and asked whether replacement is the mall’s responsibility or the cemetery’s. Staff said they would investigate property ownership and maintenance responsibilities and follow up. Another commissioner raised concerns about narrow streets in a new subdivision near Shafer Park, noting parking on both sides could impede emergency access; staff said streets narrower than typical (about 28 feet curb to curb) generally require parking restrictions on one side and that staff would check signage and enforcement.

Staff reiterated the schedule for October through December to move forward on the ordinance update and invited commissioners to provide comments during the review period.