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Ward council adopts new Unified Development Ordinance; expands neighborhood-commercial zoning after public comment
Summary
The Ward City Council adopted Ordinance 202520 to replace the city's Unified Development Ordinance and update the official zoning map, setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Council amended the map to expand neighborhood commercial zoning after a resident asked that his 1.46-acre parcel be rezoned.
The Ward City Council voted to adopt a rewritten Unified Development Ordinance and an updated official zoning map, setting the ordinance's effective date as Jan. 1, 2026.
The ordinance (202520) includes several targeted map corrections: a previously rezoned industrial block reverted to industrial, and an area that contains an existing daycare was reclassified as neighborhood commercial to accommodate local uses. Council members debated a larger map change after a public commenter asked that his square of property be rezoned to neighborhood commercial.
"I had been in and discussed my business ideas for the property ... I was going to be changing everything and I was going to [residential], I was like, 'I'd rather it stay what it is,'" said Joel Hire during public comment, explaining that neighborhood commercial zoning would better cover his business concepts and the parcel's existing house.
Council discussed whether to limit the neighborhood commercial zoning to just Mr. Hire's parcel or to change a broader contiguous area for future continuity. One council member noted the tract had been zoned industrial but never developed as such and that neighborhood commercial would be "more conducive" to houses across the street.
Council approved an amendment to make the larger area neighborhood commercial; the motion carried with Council member Brook recorded as opposing. With the amendment in place, the council approved Ordinance 202520 on final reading and then voted to adopt it; roll-call votes recorded Chapman, McMahon, Rubel and Hall voting yes and Brook voting no.
The council president said the UDO includes a narrow provision allowing a one-year review if issues arise, giving property owners and the council a chance to revisit map choices.
What happens next: The ordinance will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and the updated UDO and zoning map will govern future development and permitting decisions unless the council revisits the change during the one-year review window.
