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Riverside BZA adopts updated bylaws, elects officers and hears 2025 annual report
Summary
Board adopted updated bylaws that set public‑hearing time limits and attendance rules, elected the chair and vice chair by voice vote, and heard the Community Development annual report highlighting a zoning code rewrite, rental registration launch and $1.4 million in grant awards.
At its Jan. 6 meeting the Riverside Board of Zoning Appeals elected officers, adopted updated bylaws for 2026 and received a department annual report covering 2025 accomplishments and metrics.
Elections: Board members nominated and voted by voice to elect the chair for another term and to select a vice chair (Marty) without opposition. Members noted the rapid nominations reflected small attendance but completed the procedural votes.
Bylaws: Staff member Nia reviewed changes to the BZA bylaws. Notable revisions include a clarification that the chair may limit individual speakers to three minutes and set a maximum of nine minutes for all speakers in instances of large public interest; clearer language on member absences and thresholds (five absences within a 12‑month period); and a statement reinforcing orientation and training expectations. After brief discussion the board moved and voted to adopt the bylaws as presented.
Annual report: Community Development staffer Cody presented highlights from 2025: hiring a new zoning administrator, the planning commission’s recommendation to rewrite the zoning code and map (now before city council), the inaugural third‑grade planning workshop, launch of a rental property registration program with 262 registrations to date, $1.4 million in grant funding secured, top permit types (115 fence permits, 98 accessory‑structure permits, 41 business permits) and 253 tall‑grass complaints as the top code‑enforcement issue. Cody also described transfer of 34 city‑owned properties to the Riverside Community Improvement Corporation to enable rehabilitation and reuse and summarized department goals for 2026, including UDO adoption and targeted community engagement.
Board members asked clarifying questions about case accounting across 2024–2025 and staff explained how filing and completion dates are tracked. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:48 p.m.
