City of Byron adopts temporary moratorium on C-2 downtown business district

The City of Byron Mayor and Council voted unanimously Oct. 3, 2022 to impose a temporary moratorium on zoning, permitting, development, construction and land use in all parcels designated C-2, the city’s Downtown Business District.

The moratorium, approved by a motion from Councilmember Alan Dorsey and seconded by Councilmember Chris Hodges, is set to remain in effect until March 15, 2023, or until the council revokes it. The council amended the termination date in the adopted resolution from Feb. 28, 2023 to March 15, 2023.

Council members said the pause will preserve the status quo while staff and elected officials review the city’s Appendix A—Land Development, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations—and consider revisions to zoning, permitting and design standards for the downtown area. Planning & Zoning Administrative Assistant Kevin Clance was tasked with researching design standards used by other municipalities to inform possible ordinance changes.

The resolution states the moratorium is narrowly tailored to allow the city time to conduct proposals, hearings and notice procedures related to any code changes. It applies only to parcels within the C-2 Downtown Business District; existing land uses with permits issued before the moratorium’s effective date are exempt and may proceed.

The adopted resolution cites the city’s authority to regulate land use and notes the current code (Appendix A) was adopted in 1994 and has been amended over time. The council estimated the review process would require at least four months to complete the review, notices and hearings needed to consider ordinance changes.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Michael Chidester at 4:30 p.m. and adjourned at 4:47 p.m. on a unanimous motion by Councilmember Michael Chumbley, seconded by Councilmember Chris Hodges. No members of the public or media were present at the special session.