City Council to hold public hearing June 18 on Article 7 historic-resource protections

The City of Erie planning commission recommended the zoning ordinance amendment known as Article 7 (historic resource protection) for City Council review; City Council will hold a public hearing on June 18 and is scheduled to take the first reading of the ordinance that night.

The amendment revises the city—s zoning ordinance to add or change local historic-resource protections. Jacqueline Spry, the city planning director, said the planning commission "has approved it" and recommended it go to council. She told the Historical Review Commission the public hearing will be at the June 18 evening City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m., and that City Council will read the ordinance twice (first reading at the hearing, then vote at a subsequent meeting). The commission also noted the city sent the draft to the county for a required 30-day review to confirm alignment with the county master plan.

Planning staff said the proposed amendment was posted for public comment on the city's website and social media; the posting will remain open for 20 days ahead of the council hearing. Commissioners emphasized that the June 18 session is the public hearing only and that City Council does not vote on the ordinance that night; the formal vote will follow at a later council meeting after the required readings. Jacqueline Spry and commission members said the board will continue to share administrative materials (forms, fee comparisons) with City Council, but the council must formally adopt any fee schedule or ordinance language.