The Planning Commission voted unanimously Sept. 10 to recommend that the City Council adopt permanent amendments to the municipal code governing temporary uses and structures, including outdoor dining. The public hearing on Planning Commission Agenda Bill PCB 25-15 opened at 6:07 p.m. and closed with no public testimony.

The recommendation asks the council to adopt amendments to MICC 19.06.050 (Commerce on public property, as amended), a proposed new section MICC 19.06.130 (Temporary use permits, as amended), and amendments to MICC 19.15.030 (Land use review types, as amended). The motion to recommend adoption was made by Commissioner Neece and seconded by Commissioner Perez; Deputy clerk conducted a roll-call vote and all commissioners present voted aye.

Why this matters: the commission and staff have been operating under interim regulations that have been renewed and that will expire Dec. 16, 2025. The permanent amendments are intended to replace recurring interim renewals and put long-term rules in place for temporary structures and outdoor dining.

Commission discussion focused on the code draft and on implementation concerns. Chair Jared Thompson thanked staff and the vice chair for their work and said he would support the recommendation, while noting that permitting can be “expensive, and they can be very complicated,” especially in the town center; he urged staff to keep permit processes and fees as clear and accessible as possible. Deputy clerk recorded the unanimous vote.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action. The commission’s meeting record shows the public hearing opened and closed at 6:07 p.m., the motion to recommend adoption was put on the table (tabled previously on July 23), and then called for a vote that passed.