Council committee advances broad zoning text amendment package after heavy public comment; parking credit removed

The Planning & Economic Development Committee voted to send a large package of zoning text amendments — described by City Planning Commission staff as the "Sixth General Text Amendment" — to the council for formal consideration after substantial public comment and a committee amendment.

The package contains numerous changes intended to update the zoning ordinance: removing the 3‑year lapse for plan development (PD) approvals; allowing conditional loft conversions in R1 and R2 districts and allowing lofts and mixed‑use by right in several commercial districts; revising the allowability and control of body‑art facilities; moderating regulation of brew pubs, microbreweries and small distillers; renaming certain pet uses as "animal care facilities"; allowing miniature golf in SD1/SD2 districts with reduced parking standards; clarifying the height bonus calculation; expanding the distance for crediting public parking in certain overlay districts; and increasing the allowable number of unrelated people in a "family" from two to four, among other substantive and technical edits.

Jamie Murphy of the City Planning Commission staff summarized the changes to the committee and emphasized that while the package covers many topics, the goal was to reconcile inconsistencies in the code and modernize allowances for neighborhood‑scale businesses and residential reuse. "We're calling it the Sixth General Text Amendment because it's more of just, like, an update to catch things up in the zoning ordinance," Murphy said.

The hearing attracted extended public testimony. Opponents — including speakers from historic districts and neighborhood associations — warned the changes would allow commercial uses next to single‑family homes, decrease residents’ ability to weigh in on projects, and reduce parking protections. "You can't just change all the rules rushed through before an election," one caller said. Supporters argued the changes unlock small business opportunities, activate vacant lots and encourage walkable neighborhood corridors.

Administration and commission staff said the package was developed with input over months and that outreach continued: the Department of Neighborhoods reported roughly 16 community meetings with over 500 attendees and additional sessions scheduled. Staff also committed to add explicit language to clarify that established historic districts would not be affected in practice and to work further with neighborhood groups on R3 zone impacts.

Committee members negotiated one key change during the meeting: Member Johnson moved to remove an amendment that would have extended the distance for crediting public parking (a quarter‑mile/remote parking credit) from the package. After discussion and law‑department coordination, the committee approved sending the ordinance to formal session "as amended."

Next steps: the ordinance will be introduced and scheduled for a formal public hearing at the council level; staff committed to continued community engagement and to circulate revised language clarifying effects on historic districts and other neighborhood concerns.