Planning commission hears staff update on pending state bills and upcoming UDC revisions

During the director’s report the commission heard from Development Services about pending state legislation and planned updates to the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC).

Andrew Dimas of Development Services told the commission that several bills moving through the state legislature affect lot-size and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations. "One that we've been watching the most was concerning 1,400 square-foot lots that changed on the floor last night to 3,000 square feet and passed the Senate. So it should be on its way to the governor's desk," Dimas said.

Dimas said the planned UDC updates will need to incorporate changes to ADU regulations, setbacks and height restrictions. He told commissioners those items must be vetted by the UDC committee and that staff will seek the commission’s input because the changes must be inserted into the UDC before September 1.

A commissioner asked that the committee consider connectivity and shared access requirements when it reconvenes, citing examples where adjacent commercial properties lack internal connections. Staff agreed to carry that concern forward to the UDC process. Dimas noted that public-improvement questions, such as whether a developer must build a bridge or culvert to connect a new plat to an existing street, are handled at the public improvement stage rather than during plat approval.

Several commissioners expressed interest in participating in the UDC committee; one commissioner asked that connectivity be a clear agenda item when the committee reconvenes. No formal motions or votes were taken on the UDC items during the meeting; the discussion was advisory and preparatory to future code amendments.