City staff presented a package of housing-focused code changes aimed at speeding housing production and aligning local procedures with recent state law.

Adam McDaniel described the "Home Starts Here" initiative, which includes removing some downtown height limits, expanding zones for childcare and offering a building-permit fee deferral to support affordable projects. "This ordinance is trying to streamline our design review process," he said, citing incentives for commercial-to-residential conversions and childcare access.

Spencer Gardner summarized state law drivers. He said 2023 House Bill 1293 requires clear-and-objective design standards, concurrent review with other project processes and limits design review to a single public meeting. He also cited House Bill 1110, which allows more units on residential lots and restricts design-review requirements for middle-housing to administrative review.

To respond, staff proposed retaining design review but shifting its forum from a standing Design Review Board to an ad hoc subcommittee of the Plan Commission, supplemented by a roster of volunteer professionals. The ordinance would permit Community Assembly to send a liaison and would exempt downtown commercial-to-residential facade-triggered projects and childcare facilities from design review in some cases.

Staff also requested another six-month extension of an interim zoning ordinance that lifted downtown height limits, saying the interim change will avoid a regulatory gap while the comprehensive-plan EIS and code modernization proceed. Staff indicated the draft EIS addresses height-limit alternatives and that permanent code changes are expected by year-end after the comprehensive-plan adoption.

Council members asked for clarification about the makeup of the design-review body, the difference between administrative and public review and how interim work would tie into the EIS. Staff said administrative review occurs at the staff level and is intended to be faster while preserving design standards.

No formal vote was recorded during the presentation; staff will return with draft ordinance language and next procedural steps.