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Council advances rezoning update; will rename 'conservation' zoning to 'large-lot residential'
Summary
Council and staff reviewed a draft zoning map and associated ordinance language for a comprehensive update. Members recommended renaming the 'conservation' category to 'large-lot residential' to reduce confusion and to allow individual rezones; staff expects to introduce the revised draft July 21 with a public hearing August 4.
Kristen, the staff lead on the comprehensive rezone, presented updated draft zoning maps and code language and described edits from the June 23 planning commission. She said the overlay maps (historic district, resilience, and the trace) will be provided as separate layers so users can review base zoning and overlays independently.
"We have a draft base zoning map ... the overlays that show the trace and the historic district and the overlay showing the resilience is all part of the new map," Kristen (S11) said, noting that a public-facing online map will allow users to turn layers on and off.
Council members and residents discussed the label "conservation," which applies to areas north of the river that lack public sewer. Several lawmakers said the word "conservation" causes anxiety among landowners and lenders because it can be associated with legal conservation easements. Multiple council members urged changing the label to "large-lot residential" or "low-density residential" so the public better understands the intended lot-size and development limitations.
Staff agreed to revise the terminology and incorporate council feedback. Council and staff set a schedule: the updated draft will be introduced on July 21, followed by a public hearing and potential adoption on August 4. Staff also said it will provide the report submitted to the planning commission and a memo summarizing incorporated feedback so the public and council members can review changes before formal action.
The council did not vote on the rezone during this meeting; staff asked members to submit any remaining comments before the next draft is posted.
