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Planning Commission backs ordinance to clarify how mixed‑use overlay districts can be amended
Summary
The commission voted 8–0 to recommend approval of OTA2025‑008, a text amendment adding a process for amending existing and proposed Mixed Use Development (MUD) overlay districts, including a two‑thirds property‑owner approval requirement for existing MUD modifications.
On Nov. 18 the Suffolk Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of ordinance text amendment OTA2025‑008, which amends section 31‑4‑19 of the Unified Development Ordinance to clarify how mixed‑use development overlay districts (MUDs) may be modified or amended.
Assistant Director of Planning Meg Pittenger told commissioners the amendment adds a subsection (subsection k) establishing a process for both existing and proposed MUDs. For existing MUDs, any modification to the master plan, design guidelines or included elements must be accompanied by written approval of at least two‑thirds of current property owners within the overlay district or written consent of the property owners' association. For proposed MUDs, applications would be required to identify in their design guidelines the procedures for obtaining property‑owner agreement to pursue future amendments.
Pittenger and commission members said the change responds to a recent case where the amendment process was unclear. Commissioner (speaker 12), noting work by the ordinance committee, moved adoption; the clerk recorded an 8–0 vote in favor. The Commission will forward the recommendation to City Council, which is scheduled to consider the amendment on Dec. 17, 2025.
The amendment does not itself change substantive land‑use entitlements; it clarifies the procedural steps and property‑owner consent thresholds needed for future MUD changes.
