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Commission reviews proposed Chapter 7 code edits; members favor clearer, less subjective language
Summary
Presenter Spencer walked commission members through edits to Chapter 7 (commercial development), including removing subjective phrases such as "desirable tenants," adding objective criteria for unsuitability (geotechnical/environmental constraints), allowing alternative compliance, and adding a water-wise landscaping paragraph; commissioners asked for clearer wording on alternative compliance and confirmed adding 'feasible' to two-ingress language.
At the May 19 meeting, Presenter (Spencer) reviewed a set of proposed revisions to Chapter 7 of the development code aimed at making commercial-project standards more objective and practical.
Spencer explained changes including replacing subjective terms (for example, removing "desirable tenants" language) with objective standards to "promote functional, safe and compatible commercial development." He also added geotechnical/environmental/engineering constraints as reasons a parcel could be deemed unsuitable and inserted the word "feasible" to the two‑ingress requirement so applicants would not be held to an infeasible standard. "So compatible commercial development just points it to your code," Spencer said while explaining the edit. Commissioners discussed whether to include an alternative‑compliance pathway and asked for wording that would allow applicants to seek relief from strict tree-planting densities when water use or sight-lines made strict compliance impractical.
Spencer also proposed a landscaping paragraph encouraging water-wise design principles (drought-tolerant species, efficient irrigation and reduced high‑water turf areas). Commissioners generally supported the emphasis on water efficiency and asked staff to draft clear alternative‑compliance language for a future meeting and public hearing. The commission agreed to continue work on Chapter 8 at the next meeting and to schedule a public hearing to adopt the revised code sections.
