The Planning Committee reviewed multiple chapters of a comprehensive zoning rewrite July 10 that would change subdivision, access and mobility, parking, sign and floodplain standards.

Key proposed changes in the draft chapters include: reducing the maximum nonresidential street segment length from 1,800 feet to 1,000 feet (the measure would create a new definition, “street segment,” to replace the older “block” concept); converting temporary cul‑de‑sacs to required roadway stubs with maximum lengths tied to the 1,000‑foot rule; and a conservation design option that would require roughly 30% of a development site to remain as preserved land while allowing higher cluster densities (example proposed densities: R‑1 up to 4 units/acre; R‑2 up to 6 units/acre; R‑3 up to 15 units/acre in conservation design).

The committee also reviewed access and mobility changes that add internal access drive standards for large plazas, a set of revised parking ratios (multifamily down from 2.5 to 1.5 spaces per unit; restaurant ratios proposed from one per 50 sq ft to one per 200 sq ft), and new bicycle parking and loading space requirements. Planning staff said the parking reductions are intended to reduce requested variances and better match contemporary norms.

Chapter 10 (sign standards) would expand regulated sign types, slightly adjust allowed monument sizes for different districts, cap multi‑tenant panels at six names to avoid cluttered, illegible tenant boards, and allow administrative adjustments to encourage higher‑quality sign materials. Planning staff proposed removing a prior 12‑inch masonry perimeter requirement around electronic messages and recommended allowing up to 75% of a sign face to be an electronic message area, subject to static content and time limits.

Planning staff emphasized the materials are draft and intended to invite discussion; the committee recommended moving the proposed sign variance for a City Hall monument sign (filed separately as Resolution 2025‑141) to council. Planning staff also said floodplain language will be relocated into the new chapter without substantive change.

Committee members asked whether proposed rules would make preexisting developments nonconforming (staff said yes, Miller’s Landing would be nonconforming under new block/segment length rules) and discussed options for phased implementation and smaller stakeholder working sessions starting in August.