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Planning commission approves draft amendments to conditional-use procedures, sends changes to town council
Summary
Bicknell's planning and zoning commission approved revised language and procedures for conditional-use permits (Section 16 of the building ordinance) and voted to forward the draft amendments to the town council for final action.
BICKNELL, Feb. 18, 2025 — The Bicknell Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 18 to approve drafted amendments to Section 16 (Conditional Uses) of the town's building ordinance and forward the changes to the town council.
Commission members discussed language and procedural details drawn from a template provided by Brock and adapted from a LOA ordinance. The draft adds a list of uses potentially eligible for conditional use designation (including government buildings, medical facilities, churches and public parks) and sets out procedural steps for application, review, public hearing notification and appeal.
Commissioner discussion focused on clarity and legal phrasing. Commissioners reviewed phrasing such as "reasonably likely adverse impacts," debated punctuation and spelling for procedural items, and adjusted notice language so it reads: "At least 1 week prior to the public hearing, the town shall send notice to property owners within 300 feet of the property." One commissioner also noted the commission needs clearer commercial standards in the zoning code when commercial operations are introduced onto Main Street.
Key procedural elements in the draft: the application must include site plans, building elevations and required information; the planning commission will place the application on the next available planning and zoning agenda for initial review; the commission will ensure the application meets requirements before scheduling a public hearing; notices are to be mailed by the town at least one week prior to a hearing; and approved conditional-use permits are to be forwarded to the town council for final approval. The draft also includes an 18-month expiration clause if no substantial progress on construction is made.
Vote and next steps: A commissioner moved to approve the changes to Section 16 and forward them to the town council; another commissioner seconded the motion and the commission voted in favor. The commission recorded no nays. The draft ordinance text will be presented to the town council for final consideration.
The commission also noted the town is implementing new online workflow software for applications, which may change how applications and notices are submitted and tracked in future meetings.
