Blythewood zoning appeals board recommends updated Land Development Ordinance to Planning Commission
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Summary
After a consultant presentation on a rewritten Land Development Ordinance, the Town of Blythewood Board of Zoning Appeals voted to recommend the draft to the Planning Commission. The board also deferred election of officers and approved prior meeting minutes.
The Town of Blythewood Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday recommended that the Planning Commission consider a rewritten Land Development Ordinance and approved procedural items after a presentation by consultant Brian Mabry of Kendon Keyes Collaborative.
The recommendation followed a detailed slide presentation explaining the draft ordinance’s structure, user interface and key substantive changes. Brian Mabry said the draft consolidates existing rules into a single online document and retains the board’s existing role on variances, special exceptions and appeals.
Mabry told the board that the LDO is intended to be used primarily as an online, searchable document rather than a static PDF and that it “consolidates all the town’s development-related laws into a single document” to reduce inconsistencies. He summarized substantive changes including a reduction in zoning districts (from 21 to 12), a new sustainability index that can award development incentives for on-site green features, new standards for parking (including maximums), public-art requirements for nonresidential developments, and modernized graphics and tables for public use. Mabry said the project began in February 2023, the draft was opened for public comment in mid-September through mid-October 2024, and the adoption process will move next to the Planning Commission and Town Council.
Daniel (staff), who confirmed the meeting notice was posted, framed the board’s role in the adoption process as advisory for the Planning Commission. After discussion the board voted to recommend the draft LDO to the Planning Commission. The motion to send the recommendation passed with the members present voting in the affirmative; Ray seconded the motion.
Board members also approved the minutes of the Nov. 18 meeting by motion and second, and they voted to defer the election of chair and vice chair until a fuller board is seated. The board noted that one member, Tanya Trosta, has officially resigned and that vacancies remain to be filled; Daniel said council will consider an appointment at its next meeting.
Why it matters: The Land Development Ordinance sets zoning districts, dimensional standards, site-design rules, procedures for variances and appeals, and other development controls that affect how properties may be developed or redeveloped in the Town of Blythewood. The draft’s consolidation and web-native format are intended to make rules easier for staff, developers and the public to use and to reduce conflicting provisions.
Next steps: The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the draft on Feb. 3; Town Council will consider two readings/hearings in February and March as part of final adoption.
