The City Council adopted edits to the zoning code to comply with new state law changes affecting development review and public notice. The amendments revise procedures for development review, require certain public notice postings to the city website, update the home‑occupation definition and standards, and correct a missing code citation.

City staff described four main changes: (1) state law now requires a sign on properties when a zoning action increases residential density; staff proposed broader transparency by posting signs for all zoning changes, but council constrained the sign requirement to only those cases required by state law; (2) the city will post required notices to its website in addition to newspaper publication; (3) staff fixed a scrivener’s error in the specific‑use permit citation; and (4) home‑occupation standards were adjusted to align with state law — allowing some employees at the premises while tightening allowances for signage and regulating on‑site activity, appearance and parking.

Staff told the council the state law specifies a minimum sign size (quoted in the meeting as an 18‑by‑44 requirement), so staff proposed a larger sign and codified a posting process to increase transparency. Councilmembers and members of the local development community discussed the practical consequences of broad signage for every zoning change and asked staff to return with implementation details and cost implications. After discussion, the council adopted the ordinance but added a condition that the property‑sign posting be required only where state law requires it (i.e., residential density increases) while staff will continue website notices and other statutory requirements.

The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 4‑0 at its Aug. 21 meeting; staff presented the ordinance language and answered council questions about sign size, home‑occupation limits and implementation.