Council introduces FY2026 budget amendment and site-plan text amendment; budget amendment totals $3.01 million

At its April 13 meeting, the Westminster Mayor and Common Council introduced two ordinances: a budget amendment (Ordinance 26-02) and a zoning text amendment focused on site-plan requirements (Ordinance 26-01).

Theresa Rogers, the city's director of finance, summarized Ordinance 26-02, which would add a subtotal of $1,426,724.29 in new appropriations (including $430,358.49 in intergovernmental funds and grants, $312,632 from general fund reserves, $383,166 from sewer fund reserves, $288,717.80 from water fund reserves and $11,850 from other funding) plus $1,580,585 in capital fund reserves brought forward from prior years, for a total requested increase of $3,007,309.29. Council moved and seconded to introduce the ordinance; a voice vote resulted in the ordinance being introduced for later consideration.

Staff then introduced Ordinance 26-01, a comprehensive text amendment to Article 25 (site plans) of the city code and related sections. The measure would reorganize the article to better distinguish full site plans from simplified site plans, define simplified site-plan contents, create certain exemptions for developed downtown properties, establish intake procedures, and update fees to align with the amendments. Director of Community Planning and Development presented the rationale, citing feedback from downtown property owners and the desire to reduce time and cost for projects in the downtown core.

Council members applauded the months of work in committee and work sessions that led to the draft and noted the intent to make the downtown more business friendly while preserving regulatory safeguards. Ordinance 26-01 was introduced and referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation.

Neither ordinance was adopted at the meeting; both were introduced and will return for further review, public hearing, and formal action at a subsequent meeting.