City planning staff presented the Planning Commission with a 2020–2025 review of planned‑development (PD) districts, enforcement updates on noncompliant properties and the status of a new zoning‑code rewrite contract approved by City Council.
Staff reported that most PDs reviewed exceed the five‑acre minimum for a plan development district; exceptions include a gas station on the southwest corner of Manchester and Dixie and the Villas at Emerald Enclave, which predate current requirements. Regarding enforcement, staff said the noncompliant gas station paid a first civil penalty today but remains out of compliance. “Because they paid the penalty does not mean they are in compliance,” staff said; if the owner fails to cure violations, staff described steps including a second civil penalty and potential criminal enforcement.
Commissioners discussed several PD sites, including an approved but not‑built apartment project (referred to as the Atticus/Gateway parcels) that remains for sale; staff said final development plan approvals and granted extensions mean future developers could still proceed subject to time‑frame rules. Staff noted there is authority to grant additional extensions for the period between final development plan approval and start of construction.
Staff also told the commission City Council has approved funding to update the zoning code and that a consultant (an out‑of‑state firm) will begin work soon. The consultant’s proposal calls for a formal kickoff with the Planning Commission and City Council and multiple touchpoints, including up to four focus groups (for example, builders, downtown stakeholders and historic‑preservation interests). Staff said portions of the draft code will be released to the commission for review prior to consideration by the full Council.
Commissioners were invited to submit urgent text amendments for consideration during the rewrite; staff encouraged longer‑term items to be compiled for staged review as the code update proceeds.