Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ldc Update topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff outlines major changes in new Land Development Code to planning commission
Summary
Planning staff presented an LDC training covering standardized conditional-use conditions, revised variance standards, dimensional changes to favor single-family development, rules on successive applications, and guidance on which conditional uses must return to commission (for example, some state-licensed or nuisance-prone uses).
Planning staff presented an overview of the new Land Development Code and highlighted changes likely to affect future commission decisions during the April 14, 2025 meeting.
Staff distributed excerpts (articles 1–6) for commission review and summarized the principal changes: a larger definition section; standardized baseline conditions for a set of conditional uses; editorial rearrangement of sections; clarified public-notice requirements; and stricter variance criteria. Staff used accessory-dwelling units as an example of standardized conditional-use criteria and said some uses that require state licensing or could create nuisance conditions would still require commission review even if ownership changes.
Staff emphasized that many existing nonconforming uses will remain in place but that the code’s standardized conditions and updated dimensional standards are intended to reduce the need for variances. Among concrete changes cited were updates to dimensional standards (minimum lot sizes adjusted, density generally maintained or reduced) and the variance criteria made harder to meet. Staff also noted a change that provides an additional 15% of impervious-surface coverage for accessory uses in rear yards while reserving a 35% baseline for houses and driveways in some contexts.
Other items discussed included the process for successive applications (section 34-5-06), how transferability was handled for certain conditional uses, and a plan to post the full code online once the ordinance is finalized and printed copies are available. Staff told commissioners they will receive the full code and can request additional sections for agenda packets if needed.
