Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs broader public-notice radius for planning hearings; staff to work through mailing logistics
Summary
The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend that the City Council increase the public-notice radius for hearing mailings from 500 feet to approximately a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) to improve transparency for large-lot properties; staff noted higher postage costs and suggested exploring future electronic notification options.
The Planning Commission recommended 4-0 March 6 that the City Council adopt an amendment to the city code expanding public-notice mailing requirements for planning hearings from the existing 500-foot radius to 1,320 feet (one-quarter mile).
Staff said expanding the radius would notify more property owners in rural portions of Dayton whose lots are large enough that a 500-foot buffer may miss nearby landowners with an interest in a project. Jason (city staff) and commissioners said the change would increase transparency for large-lot areas and better capture affected stakeholders.
Staff cautioned that the change increases postage and staff workload: one recent project’s mailings cost roughly $500 in postage under current practices; expanding to a quarter mile would raise those costs proportionally. Staff suggested the city could consider collecting email addresses for future electronic notices, but noted state statute currently governs mailed-notice requirements and that property-owner mailing remains the legal baseline.
Commissioners asked staff to examine whether applicants should bear added mailing expense and whether duplicate mailings could be de-duplicated for cost savings. The commission voted to forward the proposed code amendment to council for consideration; staff said the ordinance would appear on the March 25 council agenda.
