County zoning staff presented proposed edits to the Jackson County zoning ordinance on Aug. 25 that would reorganize conditional uses and add a limited administrative renewal option for certain low‑impact, time‑limited permits.

Becca told the board the proposed ordinance changes rename “special exceptions” as conditional uses in a single consolidated chapter, list conditional uses by major land‑use categories, and add a defined administrative renewal pathway so short, low‑risk extensions do not automatically require a full public hearing. Under the draft approach discussed, conditional‑use approvals would default to one‑year terms unless the board specifies otherwise; staff could grant limited administrative renewals for eligible permits, with a cap of two administrative renewals noted in the discussion.

Staff noted higher‑impact or controversial uses would still be routed back to the Board of Adjustment for public hearings. The changes are intended to streamline administration, help applicants affected by weather or contractor delays, and make the ordinance easier for the public to navigate.

Board members said they did not need a formal vote and expressed general support for the revisions as long as the board continued to hear higher‑impact matters. Staff also noted the ordinance currently contains placeholders for wind‑energy conversion systems and that separate sections on utility‑scale battery storage and utility‑scale solar remain to be populated.

Becca said the zoning commission reviewed and supported the chapters that involve the Board of Adjustment; the board indicated informal consensus. Staff said the next meeting will include a conditional‑use extension case (Leisure Lake) and that meeting times may shift in October if additional cases are scheduled.