Consultant outlines UDO diagnostic; commission approves public sessions Aug. 19—20 and will form steering committee

The Sellersburg Planning Commission on July 20 heard a diagnostic presentation from consultant Don Lop of Beacon Street Consulting on updating the town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and approved public engagement dates and a steering committee to guide drafting.

Don Lop, who described himself as a certified planner and former director of operations and planning for Floyd County, said his early review flagged four principal topics for the commission: definitions and permitted uses, multifamily-density benchmarks, architectural and facade standards, and buffering/amortization mechanisms. "The zoning ordinance is a living document," Lop told commissioners, urging the town to add clearer definitions for modern uses and to reduce ambiguity that can surface in appeals.

Key findings and recommendations included density benchmarking, where Lop reported the town's M1/M2 density allowance (about 22—29 units per acre in staff materials) sits higher than many comparable communities, and a recommendation to consider whether Sellersburg wants to retain that higher density. He also recommended adding roughly 20 clearer definitions to reduce interpretive ambiguity and specifically flagged emerging uses such as large data centers, commercial-scale solar farms, and battery storage as topics the town should define. On those uses he said communities sometimes place temporary moratoriums while drafting standards; Lop said a moratorium is an option the town could consider pending policy decisions.

Public engagement and schedule: Lop proposed a two-stage outreach plan with a project landing page, an online public survey accessible via QR code signage, and two days of public information sessions. The consultant initially proposed Aug. 20 and 21; commissioners discussed scheduling conflicts with Sellersburg Celebrates and agreed to hold four session opportunities on Aug. 19 (noon— 2 p.m.) and Aug. 20 (6— p.m.). A motion to approve the Aug. 19—20 schedule and to direct staff to form a steering committee was moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Nancy, and passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will post the draft materials on the town website, place notices on utility bills and community signage, and assemble a steering committee (appointments to be finalized at an upcoming council meeting) to work with the consultant and staff on drafting ordinance language. Lop said additional public meetings and a Planning Commission public hearing will follow, with the draft posted online in advance to accept public comment.

The commission closed the item after approving the outreach schedule and asking staff to coordinate notices. Don Lop thanked the commission for the opportunity to work on the project and said he would proceed with more detailed review to produce specific recommendations and draft ordinance language for future meetings.