City schedules Oct. 16 public input session on zoning ordinance; board seeks volunteers

Staff announced a public input session on the proposed zoning ordinance for Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in council chambers and invited public recommendations, noting no formal action would be taken at that session.

Staff said the ordinance update process will include smaller working groups of staff, a planning commission member and possibly a council member to develop recommendations for the formal planning commission process. Staff asked the board for one or two volunteers to serve on a subcommittee; several members responded they would consider participation depending on schedules. Staff said they will email volunteers to coordinate times and reminded members to avoid creating a quorum at public input sessions.

Staff asked that volunteers be able to participate flexibly, noting the smaller group likely would meet by email or for a couple of hours every two weeks. Staff said the ordinance edits already include efforts to make zone definitions cohesive and to correct inconsistent wording across zones. The board was encouraged to attend the public input session, though staff said scheduling the session at 2 p.m. might limit some members’ ability to attend due to work schedules.

Practical next steps noted in the meeting: staff will host the Oct. 16 public input session, collect public comments, convene a smaller working group to refine proposals, and then bring a formal draft to planning commission for adoption. No vote or formal commitment to specific ordinance language was taken at this meeting.