Willard planning commission recommends codifying online zoning text and forwards use-table updates to council

The Willard City Planning Commission voted Feb. 6 to forward a package of zoning updates to the City Council, including codifying the currently online text as Chapter 24 of the Willard City Code and sending amendments to two tables of uses for council review. The action follows a staff review to reconcile online content, correct numbering and definitions, and ensure ordinance changes appear correctly in the municipal code.

Planning Department staffer Maddie told commissioners the work was largely editorial: "This is really just taking what's online, making it the current code, and then you'll start seeing us bring in all of the new changes or recommendations that Colt and staff have been working on." She said the codification will reduce cross-referencing errors and make subsequent ordinance updates easier to track.

Commissioners asked for confirmation that the online text matched the ordinance language and discussed a letter submitted for the record; the chair noted the letter would be included in the meeting packet and minutes rather than read aloud. After discussion, an unnamed commissioner moved to recommend codifying Chapter 24. The commission seconded the motion and approved it by voice vote.

On a related agenda item, staff described proposed edits to Tables of Uses sections 24.44.03 and 24.38.03: adding definitions, incorporating the TOD and the old Willard Township zones, and adjusting 'C' and 'P' designations per revised recommendations. After limited discussion commissioners moved to forward the table amendments to the City Council; the motion carried by voice vote.

What happens next: the recommendations will be transmitted to the Willard City Council for formal action. If the council adopts the codification and table amendments, future ordinance changes should publish with corrected numbering and updated online references, staff said.