Commission reviews draft comprehensive plan comments from DLCD, debates sidewalks, open‑space setbacks and outdoor commerce

Planning Director Jeff Flory updated the commission Jan. 7 on the comprehensive plan update and said the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has started returning comments. He presented sample commissioner comments and asked whether the commission wanted to strengthen Policy 1.5 to evaluate development adjacent to open space for height, setbacks and landscape controls.

Commissioners debated multiple topics raised by the draft and sample comments. They discussed whether allowing highway‑fronting properties to carry commercial uses regardless of zoning could reduce residential availability; whether the comprehensive plan or the Transportation System Plan (TSP) is the appropriate place to place stronger sidewalk language; and whether leaving draft language that permits future outdoor commercial activities (such as food carts) by ordinance without a comp‑plan amendment is appropriate.

Several commissioners urged that the comments made by commissioners be published and available to the public for transparency; staff agreed to post consultant crosswalk spreadsheets and selected comment sets on the city website and to solicit public feedback with a survey when the public hearing is scheduled. Staff said the city will not issue public notices until DLCD comments are fully incorporated and the commission is comfortable with the draft; the state requires a 35‑day notice prior to the public hearing.

Commissioners asked staff to bring clearer definitions of terms and to consider where jurisdictional or statutory limits constrain local changes. No final policy amendments were approved; staff will continue to refine the draft and upload supporting materials for commissioner review ahead of a public hearing.