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Sellersburg plan commission backs $22,000 UDO update with Beacon Street Consulting
Summary
The Plan Commission voted June 15 to recommend Beacon Street Consulting’s $22,000 proposal to update Sellersburg’s Unified Development Ordinance for four mixed‑use districts, aiming for an October plan commission draft review and council adoption in November.
The Town of Sellersburg Plan Commission on June 15 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to hire Beacon Street Consulting to perform a targeted update of the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) focused on four mixed‑use districts.
Planning staff recommended Beacon Street Consulting after receiving four proposals ranging from $22,000 to $97,000. Staff described Beacon’s principal, Don Lop, as a local AICP professional whose small firm fits the project’s targeted scope rather than a full code rewrite. "I think Don fits into that. He can meet the time frames," Charlie said.
The UDO update will focus on refining permitted uses, buffering and setback standards, dimensional rules, architectural standards for the downtown and neighborhood districts, and procedural changes for review and implementation. Staff outlined a phased schedule of diagnostic work, engagement (steering committee, stakeholder focus groups, surveys, open houses), draft revisions, public review and a plan commission final review in October with a recommendation to council on or before Nov. 23.
Charlie summarized why a UDO matters: "The UDO is our zoning code... it basically sets the standard out for every zone that we have, what can be built and where and how." Commissioners asked clarifying questions; one noted Beacon’s $22,000 proposal was significantly less than competing bids.
On a motion seconded by Nancy Hughes, the commission voted to recommend Beacon Street Consulting’s proposal to the Town Council for final approval. The chair closed the voice vote with an oral tally the commission recorded as six in favor. Staff said the contract amount would be paid from the same account referenced earlier in the meeting but did not provide a budget code.
If the council approves the contract, staff said it would form a steering committee, hold public engagement events and return draft ordinance language to the commission for review before council adoption.
