City to begin building-code update; planning commission to consider solar zoning, tobacco plan-use changes and Pierce Shops amendments

City staff told the Community Development Committee they will begin a building-code review to consider updating the city’s adopted International Code Council (ICC) building and occupancy codes from the 2018 to the 2021 cycle. A kickoff meeting of the building code review team is scheduled for 5 p.m. the following day at City Hall. Greg Anderson said the city will initiate public meetings and staff briefings as part of the update process. Separately, staff previewed Planning Commission agendas: an upcoming meeting will include a liquor license request for on-site consumption at Zap Thai restaurant, a proposed zoning-text amendment to create a classification for large-scale community solar farms, and a proposed amendment to Chapter 157.116 to require planned-use approval by City Council for tobacco and vape shops. Anderson also noted items slated for the Oct. 14 Planning Commission: Aloha Pools seeks to relocate from 187 Auto Court to 105 Auto Court for an outdoor-display planned use, and GBT Realty’s Shops at Pierce (recently sold to Meijer) has applied to amend its PUD to add a fast-food drive-through, a coffee drive-through, medical and dental offices, a convenience store with fueling, and an off-site liquor license. Staff confirmed required notification letters to properties within 250 feet will be sent for applicable planning hearings. Staff said the planning and code-update efforts will follow standard public-notice and hearing procedures; the building-code review and any zoning-text amendments will be processed through Planning Commission public hearings and then, where required, by City Council action.