Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff present downtown design overlay to shape redevelopment, discourage new surface parking
Summary
Planning staff outlined a downtown design overlay with form-based standards for public realm, site and building design, including setbacks, build-to percentages, parking maximums (discouraging new surface parking), step-backs, and height limits to retain downtown character. Council asked for more public engagement and printed materials.
Planning staff presented a high-level overview of a proposed downtown design overlay derived from the downtown master plan and the Gen H comprehensive plan, and sought council direction on public engagement and remaining policy choices.
Matt Manley (planning staff) said the overlay maps street types and applies three buckets of standards — public realm, site design and building design — with cross sections and an interactive GIS tool for property-specific guidance. Key proposals include minimum and maximum setbacks and a required build-to percentage (e.g., 80% frontage building edge for certain areas), new parking maximums to discourage stand-alone surface parking (stand-alone surface lots generally discouraged in the core except limited trailhead parking), accessory parking and structured parking allowances, and height and step-back rules to maintain compatibility along Main Street while allowing modest increases behind the primary frontage.
Manley noted related ordinances (signage, small-cell facility rules) will be coordinated and explained next steps: additional public engagement with the business advisory committee, planning board workshops, a downtown advisory board recommendation, and return to council for adoption after further vetting.
Council requested printed materials and outreach focused on downtown property owners and business stakeholders to ensure affected parties understand the overlay’s implications before adoption.
