Planning Commission recommends clarifying zoning and sign code amendments to City Council

The East Lansing Planning Commission on March 26 voted to recommend City Council approve Ordinance 15-43, a set of corrections and clarifications to the city’s zoning (chapter 50) and sign (chapter 32) codes.

Landon Bartley, planning staff, described the package as non-policy edits intended to improve clarity and administration of the ordinances. The proposed changes include updates to definitions for front, rear and side lot lines — specifically how the code treats lots that front on more than one street and how corner lot lines are referenced — and a conforming change to yard definitions so setbacks apply consistently. Bartley asked the commission to also adopt one additional staff revision: allow the planning director to determine which boundary most closely conforms to adjacent development patterns when a lot faces more than two streets.

Commissioners praised the work by staff and associate planner Grace Whitney, who helped draft the redlines. After brief discussion the commission moved, seconded and approved a recommendation that Council adopt the amendments; the recommendation included the additional definition clarifications proposed by staff that were discussed at the meeting.

Bartley told commissioners to expect additional ordinance amendments later in the year tied to the comprehensive-plan update and other policy work. The planning commission’s recommendation will go to City Council, which is scheduled to consider ordinance changes at a future meeting.