Elyria staff unveil draft zoning rewrite that would cut districts, loosen some parking rules

City of Elyria planning staff on Monday presented a draft rewrite of the city's zoning code that would reduce the number of zoning districts from 18 to about eight and explicitly add modern uses such as microbreweries, short-term rentals and principal solar and wind systems.

Chris Schoenig, Elyria city planner, told attendees the draft is preliminary: "This draft is in progress ... No final decisions have been made, of course," and staff is seeking public feedback before forwarding the document to the planning commission and city council. Staff said the rewrite stems from the city's 2024 comprehensive plan and aims to modernize a code last updated in 1998.

Why it matters: The rewrite would change how parcels are classified on the map and what uses are allowed by right in each district, reducing the need for individual rezoning requests and, officials said, making it easier for some businesses and developers to locate in Elyria. Dawn Calvert, assistant safety-service director with a focus on economic development, said the city wants to be "more user friendly" and that by broadening district definitions "we're hoping to make it more friendly from the zoning side of things," which she said could reduce the number of projects that must go to planning…