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Council flags LDR updates and density-bonus policy for early review
Summary
Councilors signaled support for targeted changes to land-development regulations (LDRs) including density-bonus provisions and rules for large buildings, and asked staff to scope a modest LDR review that could proceed alongside comp-plan work.
Land-development regulations (LDRs), density bonuses and rules for large buildings drew sustained attention at the retreat. Councilors said the items are linked to broader strategic goals and should be scoped with care rather than rushed.
Council members discussed using a targeted approach: a modest LDR refresh that addresses high-priority items such as density bonus mechanisms and standards for large-building intensity, rather than a wholesale rewrite. Council member Paul described the LDR work as "medium to heavy lift" and recommended that planning staff present a proposed order of operation and an assessment of staff capacity to support the work.
Planning staff said a modest review could be scoped and returned to council with a proposed timeline that includes public engagement; several councilors asked for short descriptions of which LDR items are likely "easy fixes" and which are "sticky or complex" and thus better deferred until a fuller visioning or comp-plan refresh.
Council asked planning staff to coordinate any LDR changes with the housing supply plan, the Virginian project schedule and county partners where changes cross jurisdictional lines.
Next steps: planning staff will identify the LDR amendments that could be completed with minor code changes, which would require more extensive public engagement, and present a recommended sequencing and staffing plan to council in the coming months.
