Red Bank moves to update planning commission membership rules and remove townhouse unit cap in zoning definitions

The Board of Commissioners approved first readings on two zoning-related housekeeping ordinances: one to consolidate and recodify previous planning-commission ordinances and another to amend zoning definitions to remove a maximum-unit cap on townhouses. Director Slay told commissioners the recodification gathers three prior ordinances into a single document, clarifies selection criteria for planning commission membership and removes prior property-ownership requirements so that any Red Bank resident age 18 or older is eligible. Commissioner comment noted that planning commissioners previously were required to own property while city commissioners were not; the change removes that inconsistency. The second ordinance amends Chapter 2 (general regulations) of the zoning code to eliminate a 12-unit maximum that had previously been applied to townhouses; staff emphasized that the change does not supersede building or fire codes and that applicable safety codes remain controlling for actual construction. The commission approved both measures on first reading; the planning-commission criteria ordinance will have a public hearing and second reading in early September, per the timetable provided by staff. Staff said the broader land-use code rewrite contemplated in the coming budget year remains forthcoming and these interim amendments will allow applications that are consistent with the comprehensive plan to move forward while the overall code update proceeds.