Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Space Initiative topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor seeks expedited review of Open Space Initiative after developers report project delays
Summary
Mayor Wendy Strom asked Jan. 13 that staff prepare a draft ordinance for first reading on Jan. 27 and second reading Feb. 10 to address unintended consequences from the Dec. 7 Open Space Initiative (ordinance 24-28). Council gave unanimous consensus to direct staff to draft amendments and return promptly.
Mayor Wendy Strom told council on Jan. 13 that the Open Space Initiative ordinance adopted Dec. 7, 2024, has produced time-sensitive unintended consequences for property owners and developers, including halted residential permits and unexpected dedication requirements.
The mayor asked council for consensus to direct staff to prepare a draft ordinance for first reading on Jan. 27 and second reading on Feb. 10 to address those effects. She emphasized she was not asking staff to pre-draft specific amendments but to prepare an ordinance and supporting materials for council consideration on an accelerated schedule so the council can evaluate and, if necessary, amend the ordinance quickly.
Several council members said they had received daily reports from constituents and developers about projects unable to proceed, and that a prompt, public review was appropriate. Councilors stressed the goal of balancing parkland and housing needs and noted that the process can include additional public hearings and legal review. The council voted to direct staff to prepare the draft ordinance and to schedule readings on the Jan. 27 and Feb. 10 agendas; the vote to begin the expedited review was recorded as 9-0 consensus.
Mayor Strom and multiple councilors asked that proposed amendments be circulated in advance to allow public input. Staff will provide details about how the ordinance has been applied and where developers are encountering obstacles as part of the expedited review.
