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Council adopts zoning text amendment creating reasonable-accommodations process for land-use regulations
Summary
The council approved an ordinance adding a new section to the municipal code to establish a process for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act; Community Development staff will evaluate requests and the council will hold hearings on appeals.
On May 5 the Excelsior Springs City Council approved Ordinance No. 25-05-03, amending Chapter 400 of the municipal code by enacting a new section to establish a process for reasonable accommodations to land-use regulations for persons with disabilities.
Community Development Director Mallory Brown explained the amendment creates an administrative review process: the community development director will evaluate requests for reasonable accommodations against factors spelled out in the text amendment and make a recommendation to the council. Where required, the council will hold a public hearing with the mayor presiding; applicants may request a pre-submittal meeting to discuss how to redact personally identifiable medical information or protected health information. Brown said the Planning and Zoning Commission considered the matter and unanimously recommended approval after public hearings.
Council members voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on second reading. Brown said staff will implement the new application and hearing process consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act.
Why it matters: The amendment establishes a formal, codified path for applicants seeking reasonable accommodations to land-use rules under federal disability- and housing-protection standards and clarifies administrative and hearing steps.
Details and next steps
- The community development director will accept and evaluate reasonable-accommodation requests and make recommendations to the city council. - Applicants may request a pre-submittal meeting to discuss redaction of medical or protected health information. - The council will consider requests at duly noticed meetings; the mayor will preside over hearings.
Action taken
- Ordinance: 25-05-03 — Amend city code Chapter 400 to add section 404.015 relating to reasonable accommodations. Approved on second reading by unanimous vote.
Speakers
