City of Sweetwater planning staff presented a draft zoning-district map and an accompanying zoning-ordinance update to the City Council, saying the changes are intended to align the city's regulations with its adopted future land-use plan and to provide more flexible use categories.

The presentation, given by the planning and development staff during the council meeting, explained that zoning districts are used to divide the city into areas such as residential, commercial and industrial and to specify what uses are allowed and under what conditions. Staff said the proposed ordinance update would make the zoning ordinance consistent with the city's vision and allow greater flexibility in some districts while restricting expansion of nonconforming uses.

Why it matters: Updating the zoning ordinance is part of implementing the city's long-range plan. Staff said the goal is to ensure future development is consistent with the city's stated priorities and to give property owners and developers clearer rules about when they must bring changes into compliance.

Staff outlined next steps: take council feedback, then proceed with the public-notice and public-engagement steps required by state law before any ordinance adoption. Staff asked council for early comments so elected officials would hear proposed changes before residents.

Council and staff discussion was generally framed around the purpose of the update and how existing uses that are now nonconforming would be treated. Staff said existing uses could remain but could be limited from expansion unless they are brought into compliance with new standards. The presentation also referenced a proposed overlay for a major commercial corridor described by staff as a way to guide the preferred appearance and features of that area.

No formal vote was taken on the zoning map or ordinance during the meeting. Staff indicated they will return with formal proposals following the public-notice period and additional outreach.