Council approves first reading of large zoning code rewrite and comp plan cleanup for commercial districts

City zoning administrator Gary Morrison and planner Caitlin Champu presented a comprehensive zoning code update and associated comprehensive plan amendments for the council’s first reading. Champu said the proposal would "change the future land use of a 4.4 acre parcel located at 8800 Highway 7 in the Southwest corner of the city" from commercial to high-density residential and would update density descriptions and tables to align the comp plan with the zoning code.

Morrison described the ordinance as approximately 350 pages and said Phase 2 would restructure articles and zoning districts (reducing some district counts and expanding density and height bonus options). He explained proposed parking changes, including applying historic Barker Lake parking minimums to mixed-use districts and removing parking minimums entirely in the Walker Lake Overlay District, and said conditional use permits would be required for density/height bonuses with planning commission and council review.

Council members asked clarifying questions: one asked whether form-based zoning is effectively retired (staff: "Sort of — elements of form based have been incorporated into the new ordinance") and several asked about a planned study on parking minimums, which staff said the planning commission will lead during 2026 with staff research and recommendations. Staff noted the planning commission recommended approval and that the second reading is scheduled for Aug. 3; publication is planned for Aug. 13 with an effective date 15 days after publication (Aug. 28) if approved.