Planning director asks $1.5 million to modernize county zoning and development code; council asks for timeline and ROI

Jacob Trimble, director of the Department of Planning, told the council on Oct. 16 that the county’s zoning and subdivision code framework — largely adopted in the 1950s and 1960s — is overdue for a full rewrite to implement the newly adopted STL Co 2050 comprehensive plan.

“At the time these ordinances were cutting edge,” Trimble said in the presentation. “We are proposing a rewrite of chapters 1003 (zoning), 1005 (subdivision) and 1004 (Board of Zoning Adjustment), coupled with a new zoning map and codified development processes.”

Why this matters: Trimble said the county’s population has been essentially flat for decades and that a modern development code would provide tools to encourage housing choice, redevelopment of underused commercial lots and more productive use of existing infrastructure — central goals of STL Co 2050.

What the request includes: Trimble asked for $1,500,000 in one‑time funds to pay for outside technical and legal expertise, mapping and stakeholder engagement. The planning department will retain core staffing (20 positions total; 16 full‑time permanent) and is not requesting new permanent hires in 2026. Trimble said the work would include a full code rewrite, a new county zoning map and recommended improvements to the county’s permitting/development review process. He estimated a two‑year timeline once a contract begins.

Council questions and required follow‑up: members supported modernizing the codes but asked for more detail before approving a one‑time appropriation. The committee requested a written scope of work, a phased timeline, cost breakdowns for professional services and mapping, an estimated ROI (direct and indirect fiscal benefits) and a statement of executive‑branch and Transportation/Public Works coordination and support. Several members suggested the Planning Department explore pilot revenue models such as contracted planning services for smaller municipalities that lack staff, and asked whether grants or NFL one‑time funds might cover the cost rather than ongoing general revenue.

Trimble also updated the committee that the Spanish Lake Small Area Study (funded earlier with $325,000) is under vendor selection and expected to begin in January.

Next steps: Trimble agreed to supply the requested scope and timeline as soon as possible; council members said they would consider whether to use other one‑time funds for the rewrite and asked that planning coordinate closely with TPW and county budget staff.

No formal vote was taken on the $1.5 million request during the meeting.