Council directs staff to redraft Ordinance 618 to add parking goal and clarify development review process

The City of New Richmond council directed staff to prepare redlined amendments to Ordinance 618 that revise approval processes for certified survey maps and conditional use permits, clarify the development‑review function as city staff work (listing positions rather than a committee name), and add parking guidance for residential development.

Staff said the ordinance is structured in three parts: (1) route most certified survey maps to the planning commission (they would not come to council), (2) bring conditional use permits to both the planning commission and council because of their potential neighborhood impacts, and (3) replace the term “development review committee” with a city‑staff development review process that identifies the staff positions involved (chief of police, fire chief, city engineer, public works superintendent, electric and water superintendents, etc.).

During debate, one council member moved that the parking section include a stated goal of providing 1.5 off‑street parking stalls per residential unit (a goal, not an absolute requirement); staff and council agreed to have city attorneys and planners confirm code definitions and present a consolidated redline at the next meeting. The motion to direct staff to prepare the ordinance amendments, including the parking language and identification of staff positions, passed on roll call.

Next steps: staff will prepare a redlined ordinance, confirm definitions for residential unit types, and return the draft for final council consideration at a future meeting.