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Cody council approves multiple code amendments, sets public hearings for zoning third readings
Summary
At its Oct. 21 meeting the City of Cody City Council approved a series of ordinance readings that amend city code on intoxicating chemical compounds, interference with police dogs, contractor licensing and several zoning code cross‑references; zoning items will hold public hearings at third reading.
The City of Cody City Council on Oct. 21 approved a series of ordinance readings and related motions that amend city code sections on public-safety offenses, contractor licensing and zoning cross-references. Several of the zoning-related ordinances were approved on second reading and will return for a public hearing at third reading.
Council members moved and approved second and third readings for multiple items on the evening agenda. The measures included amendments to Title 5 (public-safety offenses) to remove jail as a municipal sentence where municipal court procedure prevents imposing such a term, updates to contractor licensing categories and application processes in Title 9, and multiple zoning code cross-reference changes in Title 10 and Title 11 to align map and code lettering. Council also advanced Planned Unit Development procedures for review and final plat approval on second reading.
Why it matters: the committee of ordinance amendments clarifies penalties and updates code references so the municipal code aligns with current court procedure and the city’s zoning map. Zoning changes that alter zone lettering will require a public hearing at third reading before final adoption, as required when a zone change is involved.
Most central facts: the public-safety ordinance amendments were presented by Chief Stafford as language clean-up intended to reflect municipal court limitations; staff explained that municipal court decisions meant the court “cannot sentence the defendant to a jail term,” so the penalty language is being revised to make the offense punishable by fine and misdemeanor designation rather than jail in municipal court. Planning staff (Tawna Dye) told council multiple code-lettering changes simply convert legacy letters (for example, “A”/“AA”) to current R-1/R-2 designations and do not change setbacks or substantive standards. For the four zoning ordinances that affect zone classification, the council was told public hearings will be held at the next meeting before third reading; staff confirmed the notices were published on Oct. 16 and no written public comment had been received to date.
Actions at a glance (motions approved during the meeting): - Ordinance “20 20 5-534” (first reading) — An ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 2, subsection 23 (unlawful intoxicating chemical compounds). Staff reference: Chief Stafford. Motion to approve first reading — moved and carried (no roll-call tally provided in the transcript). - Ordinance “20 20 5-535” (first reading) — An ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 1, subsection 11 (unlawful interference with a police dog). Staff reference: Chief Stafford. Motion to approve first reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-24” (third and final reading) — Amend Title 9, Chapter 3, Section 1.c.1–1.c.9 (contractor licensing categories). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to adopt on third reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-25” (third and final reading) — Amend Title 9, Chapter 3, Section 2 (application and review process). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to adopt on third reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-26” (third and final reading) — Amend Title 9, Chapter 3, Section 3 (term of license). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to adopt on third reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-27” (second reading) — Amend Title 11, Chapter 7, Section 9 (Planned Unit Development application and review procedures). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to approve second reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-28” (second reading) — Amend Title 11, Chapter 7, Section 10 (PUD final plat review and approval). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to approve second reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-29” (second reading) — Amend Title 10, Chapter 10, Article F, Section 6 (yards). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Council was told a public hearing will be held at third reading. Motion to approve second reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-30” (second reading) — Amend Title 10, Chapter 10, Article F, Section 7 (buffer zone). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to approve second reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-31” (second reading) — Amend Title 10, Chapter 10, Article F, Section 8 (district regulation). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to approve second reading — moved and carried. - Ordinance “20 25-32” (second reading) — Amend Title 10, Chapter 15, Section 8 (sign districts). Staff reference: Tawna Dye. Motion to approve second reading — moved and carried.
Council and staff exchanged no substantive public comment or written input on these ordinances at the meeting. Staff confirmed that notices for zoned-related items were published Oct. 16 and that the four zoning items will have public hearings at third reading next meeting.
Ending: Items approved on second reading will return for the required public hearings at the council’s next business meeting before any of the zoning-related ordinances can be adopted on third reading. No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript for these items; each motion was announced as carried.
