Council gives direction to pursue zoning text amendment removing special-use requirement for government buildings, allowing animal shelters in agricultural zone

City planning staff asked the Petersburg City Council for direction on a proposed text amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance that would remove the requirement that public or government buildings obtain a special‑use permit, and would allow animal shelters in agricultural zoning districts with standards to be defined.

Planning staff described the current code (Article 23, supplementary use regulations) requiring a special‑use permit for government facilities and noted the existing code does not allow animal shelters in agricultural districts. Staff said the requirement for council approval via a special‑use permit on city‑owned property is redundant when council already supports the project and recommended the city consider removing that requirement. Staff also said that if the council wanted to permit animal shelters in agricultural districts, staff would draft standards such as acre size, noise mitigation and other stipulations and refer the amendment to the Planning Commission for review.

Why it matters: Removing the special‑use requirement for public buildings would streamline approvals for city facilities, including planned improvements to the animal shelter and courthouse. Allowing animal shelters in agricultural districts with written standards may expand siting options for animal control facilities, potentially affecting land use in affected wards.

Council response: Councilmembers expressed general support for bringing the item to the Planning Commission for formal review. The mayor and council indicated staff should work with the Planning Commission and return the amendment for council action at a future meeting.

Ending: Staff said they will take the proposed text amendment to the Planning Commission, draft recommended standards for animal shelters in agricultural zones and return to council for action.