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Council chooses phased approach for new Land Development Code, directs chapter‑by‑chapter review
Summary
Council directed staff to proceed with the new Land Development Code using a phased, chapter‑by‑chapter review and to set a common future effective date so the code updates can be adopted in an orderly way rather than all at once.
City staff and councilors discussed how to move the city’s new Land Development Code (LDC) into final ordinance form. Council decided to proceed with a phased approach that brings articles (chapters) back separately for discussion and adoption but with a single, future effective date so all parts become active together.
Staff described 11 articles in the new LDC that must return for final language review. The staff recommendation presented two options: (1) consolidate into a single ordinance with phased readings or (2) pass separate ordinances for different chapters. Council members expressed preference for examining chapters in manageable groups to allow detailed public discussion and recommended establishing an implementation date (for example Jan. 1, 2026) so the new code becomes effective in a single transition.
Council debated the merits of a single ordinance versus multiple ordinances and emphasized that land‑development rules are among the most important and consequential matters the council adopts; members said they wanted sufficient time to scrutinize each chapter. The substitute approach endorsed by council keeps the final adoption process coordinated while allowing chapter‑by‑chapter review during multiple meetings. Staff said the chapters could be brought back as individual articles or grouped, and that the effective date could be set to a future date when all items are approved.
Council directed staff to return with articles and to schedule workshops and readings consistent with the phased review. Staff and the city attorney noted that publishing a single ordinance with a clear effective date simplifies recordkeeping and makes it easier for staff and the public to know which code versions apply to individual development cases.
