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Planning Commission hears updates on zoning reform, comprehensive plan timeline and local board actions
Summary
Staff reported continued drafting of zoning ordinance reforms with public engagement expected later and said the comprehensive plan update will follow completion of the zoning work; the commission also heard a Rockingham County liaison report and learned the council appointed Todd Alexander to the BZA.
Staff told the Planning Commission there is no new public package yet for the broader zoning reform effort; the internal drafting process continues and Wes Lee will take a more active role co‑leading the project. Ton Dang said staff hopes to have public engagement information in 2026.
On the comprehensive plan, which was drafted in 2018, a commissioner asked whether the five‑year review had begun. Dang said the city decided to complete the zoning ordinance update first, and then return to the comprehensive plan update.
A county liaison reported Rockingham County tabled two rezoning requests at its recent meeting: rezoning 1.6 acres from RR‑1 to A‑2 and a second request to rezone roughly 44 acres to a Planned Neighborhood designation. Staff also reported that City Council appointed Todd Alexander to the BZA and listed recent Council actions including approval of a rezoning on Reservoir Street and approval after rehearing for 320 South Main Street following an advertising error.
What happens next: Staff will continue drafting zoning ordinance reforms and intends to return with public engagement plans; the Planning Commission will address the five items previewed for next month’s agenda.
