Sweetwater planning commission holds public hearing on zoning rewrite, pauses for more review

The City of Sweetwater Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing on Oct. 28 to consider a proposed update to the city's zoning land-use ordinance and proposed changes to the zoning map, then closed the hearing after staff and public speakers said more work was needed before a formal recommendation.

The commission began by approving three sets of minutes on the consent agenda after Commissioner Ludland moved to approve and Commissioner Reeves seconded; the meeting leader said the motion carried following a voice vote. The hearing was then called to review a multi-session draft of the zoning ordinance and mapped district changes that staff and community members have discussed over several work sessions.

A staff speaker described recent engagement: two work sessions in September and two in October, additional workshops scheduled, and an ongoing review intended to let new commissioners fully consider every proposed section and map line. That speaker recommended withdrawing or delaying a final recommendation so commissioners and staff can complete public engagement and present a more polished proposal.

During the public-hearing portion, Martin Manessas thanked staff for corrections to the draft and asked how notice to affected residents would be handled. In response, a staff speaker said that residents whose properties remained residential would not receive notices; notices will be sent only to properties affected by zoning changes and the public was invited to upcoming engagement meetings prior to a final hearing.

Commissioner Loveland moved to close the public hearing; Commissioner Morgan seconded. After a voice vote with the meeting leader recording the affirmative response, the meeting leader declared the public hearing closed. The commission then approved a motion to adjourn, moved by Commissioner Bennett and seconded by Commissioner Ferguson; the meeting was adjourned shortly thereafter.

The transcript shows the commission is continuing workshop-level review of the draft zoning ordinance and plans further public engagement before making final recommendations to city council. The staff speaker emphasized that affected residents will receive direct notice when changes are ready for a final public hearing.