Commission debates options for noncompliant commercial buildings; staff to inventory and lead site visits

At its Nov. 19 meeting the Springdale Planning Commission discussed how to address noncompliant buildings in the town's commercial zones, focusing on three strategic questions: how strictly to enforce current zoning, how urgently to act, and whether some nonconforming buildings add to the town's character.

Staff framed the choice as three paths: allow market-driven redevelopment over time; create incentives to encourage incremental improvements (for example, moving a building partway toward setback compliance or adding landscaping); or adopt a distinct regulatory approach such as a "legacy" zone that legalizes existing conditions. Commissioners noted examples where owners voluntarily rebuilt closer to compliance — the Bumbleberry, rebuilt after a fire, was cited as a voluntary improvement without town incentives.

Several commissioners said some historic or village-character buildings (for example, the old church that houses the Zion Pizza Noodle) provide community value and merit different treatment. Others warned the town needs objective criteria to decide when exemptions are appropriate. The commission asked staff to produce a more detailed inventory that ranks each nonconforming property by the extent of noncompliance and its contribution to village character, and to organize site visits so commissioners can compare recent compliant development with older buildings in the field.

No formal change to code was proposed; staff will prepare scenarios, an inventory with degrees of noncompliance, and options to consider at future public meetings.