Goodland planning commission sets Nov. 12 hearing on overhaul of zoning definitions

The Goodland Planning Commission voted to set a public hearing for Nov. 12 to consider an ordinance that would revise Chapter 19, Section 202 of the City of Goodland municipal code to update and add zoning definitions, including the definition of accessory dwelling units and removal of design standards for modular and manufactured homes in residential districts.

Unidentified Speaker 3, introducing the ordinance, summarized the package as “an ordinance adopting and amending section 19 2 0 2 of the City Of Goodland municipal code to adopt their definition for accessory dwelling and omitting design standards for modular and manufactured homes for residential districts.” The packet circulated to commissioners contained the proposed text and editorial comments.

The proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) definition would cover subordinate dwelling units on the same lot as a primary dwelling, including basement apartments, attached units and detached backyard units; the definition explicitly focuses on independent living facilities for sleeping, cooking and sanitation and does not depend on whether rent or other compensation changes hands. Commissioners asked whether ADUs would require a separate utility tap; staff responded that tap requirements are handled in Chapter 19-5-02 standards rather than in the definition.

Other notable definition changes in the ordinance package include splitting a broad “agriculture” definition into crop and livestock categories; clarifying alley as a secondary way primarily intended for utility access and vehicular service to rear or side property; revising animal care categories (vet service, grooming, boarding versus household-pet-only uses); removing an overly detailed apartment definition so that the use table and standards govern apartments; and refining building, building-line, density and development definitions to align more closely with building code language and exclude public dedications or nonresidential acreage from density calculations.

Commissioners flagged several editorial and policy issues during the review. One commissioner asked staff to confirm whether existing trailer and RV rules (Chapter 9) would continue to apply; staff noted long‑term RV parking and permit rules remain in Chapter 9. Commissioners also discussed communication tower siting for a radio station moving into the old Pizza Hut site and emphasized safe setback from power lines. A staff member noted the construction-code‑style “building” definition in the packet is drawn from model building codes and that some commissioners preferred the shorter, code-aligned wording.

After discussion, Unidentified Speaker 1 moved to set a public hearing on the ordinance for Nov. 12 at the Planning Commission’s next regular meeting; the motion was seconded by Unidentified Speaker 2. The chair announced the date was set. The commission noted publication/notice requirements — staff said affected notices must be published and that a 20‑day notice period applies before a hearing is held.

What happens next: the commission will publish required notices and hold the Nov. 12 public hearing, where the commission will receive public testimony and may finalize recommendations to the city commission. The packet and proposed ordinance text will guide that hearing; the commission indicated it may wait to take final action on related use‑table changes (Sections 19-5-01 and 19-5-02) in tandem with the definitions package.

Reported by the Planning Commission staff; room attendees and members of the public will have an opportunity to comment at the Nov. 12 public hearing.