Council passes first reading of unified development ordinance amid objections over duplexes

The St John Town Council voted 3–1 on April 8 to approve, on first reading, Ordinance 1883, a unified development ordinance intended to replace multiple existing zoning, subdivision and building-code ordinances. The ordinance consolidates chapters, updates standards to reflect legislation coming into effect July 1, and tightens requirements for planned-unit developments, permitting and technical studies, the document's author said.

Ashley, who the council identified as the author of the revision, told council members the rewrite pulls zoning, subdivision and permitting rules into a single code and updates standards that had not been revised since 2009. "...it's kind of what goes in there, and then additionally into the chapter five, which is the subdivision portion, adapting in-depth standards for what requires the traffic study," she said. She said the ordinance was drafted in coordination with public works, public safety and building-inspection staff.

During discussion, one council member objected to provisions that would allow single‑family attached housing (duplexes), stating a preference for detached single‑family homes and saying, "I am opposed to" duplex provisions. The ordinance's first reading passed 3–1; the transcript records the tally but does not identify which council member cast the lone "nay" on the record.

Because this vote was a first reading, the ordinance will return for a subsequent reading or vote as prescribed by the town's ordinance-adoption procedures before becoming final.