Council approves zoning 'housekeeping' ordinance to move community-residence rules into business code

The Fountain Hills Town Council voted to adopt Ordinance 26-03, a text amendment that moves business-related rules for community residences out of the zoning ordinance (section 5.13) and into the town code’s business section (section 8-8), a change staff described as procedural housekeeping.

"Most of the things in that we were pulling from the zoning ordinance... we felt it was better for these business related items to actually be part of the business section of the town code," a town staff presenter explained during the public hearing. The staff presentation described the amendment as largely administrative: removing duplicate language and adding a cross-reference to the relocated provisions.

A point of order was raised during the hearing about the scope of discussion. One councilmember objected that the broader ordinance text had not been noticed for open discussion and that the agenda item was limited to removing duplicate provisions and inserting a reference; the mayor recognized the point of order and proceeded with the noticed item. One member of the public, Crystal Kavanaugh, submitted a comment card in support of the clean-up changes.

Following brief council discussion the councilmember moved to recommend adoption; a roll-call vote was taken and recorded by the clerk as unanimous approval. The clerk announced the tally as "7–0."

The amendment primarily reorganizes where certain inspection and insurance requirements are codified; staff said the change clarifies where business-related compliance requirements will be administered going forward. Council did not indicate further policy changes tied to this ordinance at the meeting.