Council reviews development‑code amendments to reflect airport location and ease business rules
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Staff proposed changes to Sierra Vista’s development code to allow airports as a by‑right use in the light‑industrial district, permit emergency medical service providers at airport facilities, eliminate an annual mobile‑vendor permit while keeping initial inspections, and allow places of worship by right in general commercial zones.
Jeff Franklin, community development staff, told the council the package of amendments is intended to "increase flexibility, reduce redundant regulations, and clarify existing standards." The changes would allow airports by right in the light‑industrial zoning district to match the actual location of the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport and would add “emergency medical service provider” to the definition of community service use so ambulance or EMS operations with sleeping quarters could operate at airport facilities.
Franklin said the city would remove a unique annual permit requirement for mobile food vendors; vendors would still need initial permits and inspections from fire and public‑health officials, but would no longer be required to renew a separate annual certificate. He also said recent state law changes and experience with three conditional‑use applications had prompted a proposal to allow places of worship by right in the general commercial district when off‑site impacts are minimal.
Planning & Zoning recommended unanimous approval on Nov. 18, Franklin said. Council members asked clarifying questions but raised no objections during the working session. The staff report said the amendments aim to streamline review and make the code consistent with practice and recent state statutes. The public hearing record and a final ordinance will be presented on the Thursday council docket.