Cody council adopts downtown overlay, architectural and outdoor lighting ordinances package

The Cody City Council on third and final readings adopted a package of planning and zoning ordinances that create a downtown overlay and architectural district, define applicability and standards, and establish outdoor lighting limits and exemptions.

Scott (planning staff, full name not provided in the transcript) presented the ordinances, which the council considered as a grouped package. The ordinances include (by number and summary as presented in the meeting):

- Ordinance 2025‑01 — adds Title 10, Chapter 18, Section 1: downtown overlay district purpose (protect history and western culture of downtown).

- Ordinance 2025‑02 — adds Title 10, Chapter 18, Section 2: downtown overlay district defined (modifies boundaries).

- Ordinance 2025‑03 — adds Title 10, Chapter 18, Section 3: downtown overlay district applicability (applies to redevelopment or new development in downtown; lists exceptions).

- Ordinance 2025‑04 — adds Title 10, Chapter 18, Section 4: downtown overlay district standards (materials and design standards for street frontage, suggested color guidance).

- Ordinance 2025‑05 — adds Title 9, Chapter 2, Section 2: downtown architectural district (incorporates new boundaries).

- Ordinance 2025‑06 — adds Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 1: outdoor lighting establishment purpose.

- Ordinance 2025‑07 — amends Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 2: nonconforming lighting (specifies zones where new lighting rules apply and grandfathering for existing fixtures).

- Ordinance 2025‑08 — adds Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 3: exemptions (federal or state requirements and overriding agencies would be exceptions).

- Ordinance 2025‑09 — adds Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 4: lighting standards (shielding, property-line foot‑candle limits, maximum correlated color temperature/Kelvin).

- Ordinance 2025‑10 — amends Title 9, Chapter 2, Section 3: requires meeting with planning and zoning adjustment board before building permit is issued. Councilmember Centenary proposed and the council adopted an amendment to that ordinance during the meeting: remove the phrase “property owner and occupant” in subsection b so it reads only “the applicant,” and revise language to place the burden on the applicant to demonstrate compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and zoning ordinances; subsection d was clarified so the board may specify conditions necessary to ensure compliance. The amendment carried on a voice vote and the ordinance was subsequently approved as amended.

- Ordinance 2025‑11 — amends Title 11, Chapter 3, Section 2: preliminary plat procedure (extends staff review time and clarifies process before planning and zoning consideration).

- Ordinance 2025‑12 — amends Title 11, Chapter 3, Section 3: final plat procedure (clarifies final plat requirements and process).

Each ordinance listed above was presented, given opportunity for questions (no substantial public debate recorded in the transcript), and approved on third and final reading by voice vote. Motions were made and seconded by various council members and the clerk recorded “Aye” and “Motion carries” in the meeting record.

The planning‑and‑zoning package is intended to protect downtown character through material and design standards, provide clearer permitting and platting timelines for subdivisions, and limit light trespass and harsh correlated color temperatures in commercial and industrial zones; staff said existing nonconforming lighting is grandfathered.

Councilmember Centenary’s amendment to ordinance 2025‑10 alters which persons must meet with the planning and zoning adjustment board and explicitly places the compliance burden on the applicant, a change the council approved prior to final adoption.

All ordinances were approved as presented or as amended by the council on the same evening.