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Richfield staff, consultant propose tightened definitions and objective landscaping standards in zoning update
Summary
Consultant André Myers and staff presented revised use definitions and use-specific standards Jan. 27 that would narrow permissions for warehousing and outdoor recreation in residential districts and favor clear landscaping rules so some conditional uses could become permitted with a zoning certificate.
At a Jan. 27 work session, André Myers introduced an expanded set of use definitions and proposed revisions to the Village of Richfield's use-permissions tables and use-specific standards as part of an ongoing zoning code update.
Myers said many current use-specific standards—particularly those tied to landscaping—could be converted into clear, objective landscaping requirements so the Planning & Zoning Commission would not have to evaluate them as conditions of approval. He recommended including robust objective landscaping standards and applying use-specific standards consistently to all instances of a use unless the draft explicitly states otherwise.
Commissioners discussed several specific topics: accessory storage (the consultant noted square-footage limits in the existing code but did not restate the figures at this meeting), clarifications to outdoor storage to ensure it is associated with a lot’s principal use, prohibiting warehouse or self-service storage Village-wide in the proposed table, and removing some indoor recreation permissions in Crossroads districts. Drive-thru service window standards were discussed with respect to properties along Wheatley Road and recently approved development. Director Brian Frantz provided context about the Village’s prior experience with governmental-use proposals and negotiations and described the limits of Village authority when other governmental entities propose development.
The Commission did not adopt final language at the session and agreed additional work time may be needed to refine definitions, numerical limits and enforceable landscaping standards. Mr. Myers invited commissioners to continue posting comments on the project website ahead of the next work session.
The commission anticipates further review of dimensional standards and the draft use-specific standards at upcoming meetings.
