Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Mixed Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission reviews downtown mixed-use rules, maker spaces and floodplain triggers
Summary
At a Jan. 15 meeting the County Planning Commission discussed keeping ground-floor storefronts in the Central Business District, adding 'maker space' as a defined downtown use, clarifying live-work and home-occupation rules, and applying floodplain overlay triggers for substantial improvements.
At its Jan. 15, 2026 meeting the County Planning Commission reviewed proposed downtown zoning changes that would keep ground-floor space limited to nonresidential uses while allowing residential units on upper floors.
The Presenter said the draft "is the mixed use building provided at Ground Floor is occupied only by permitted nonresidential uses," and asked commissioners whether that language should make clear that permitted nonresidential uses are those permitted in the zoning district. The commission discussed treating some small tasting rooms or distilleries differently from heavier manufacturing and keeping controversial manufacturing uses subject to a council special-exception review.
Why it matters: the revisions would reshape what types of businesses and residences can occupy Main Street storefronts, affect where small-scale makers and artists can operate, and clarify when floodplain rules require building upgrades.
Commissioners supported adding a new "maker space" definition for shared workshops and studios in the downtown core. Presenter described maker space as "a downtown workshop... a small open close for artists," and noted it is included in Model 1 of the draft. Staff member reminded the commission that "home occupation" rules already allow some business activity in residential zones but restrict traffic and impacts.
The commission also considered live-work units. Presenter proposed wording to treat a live-work unit as distinct from a residential-only use; members discussed whether an owner-occupant should be allowed to operate the business downstairs and live above, with the group generally agreeing that the draft should distinguish entrepreneurial home occupations from manufacturing.
Floodplain overlay issues were raised when commissioners asked how zoning interacts with the FP overlay. Staff member explained that floodplain mapping and the "substantial improvement" threshold matter: "if you extend more than 50% of the value of the property... then it would trigger... the modern building code," potentially requiring additional floodproofing measures. Commissioners noted projected elevation changes may alter which parcels are in the overlay and urged the staff to track that mapping in the next draft.
What comes next: Staff was asked to incorporate tonight's suggestions and return a revised draft next month for the commission to set a joint public hearing. The meeting adjourned by voice vote.
