Council hears public hearing on Maguire Street overlay; second reading delayed

Mayor Bruce D. Uhler opened a public hearing July 13 on Bill No. 07-01-2026, which would establish the Maguire Street Corridor Overlay District to supplement existing zoning along Maguire Street. Community Development Director Carroll described the proposal as the culmination of two years of Rethink Maguire work and said the overlay would apply to lots "lying within sixty feet of the Maguire Street right-of-way" from State Highway 50 south to Railroad Street and the Union Pacific right-of-way.

Carroll outlined standards in the draft that would address street setbacks, building lines, a three-story height limit tied to the zoning/fire code definition of a story, building design standards for facades and rooftop mechanical units, off-street parking maximums, sign standards, and landscaping requirements. Carroll said exceptions to overlay standards could be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and appealed to city council. Carroll also told council that "the overlay was designed to make the corridor more attractive" but that staff would review and amend standards if they produce unintended development barriers.

Council and staff debated how existing pole signs would be treated; staff said pole signs would become nonconforming on adoption but property owners would not be forced to remove them until a redevelopment trigger, and that sign companies can sometimes change plastic panels without a permit. Councilmember Ridenhour requested additional time for public comment and asked that the ordinance receive a second reading at the next council meeting rather than be adopted immediately; with no unanimous consent the item was passed to second reading. The hearing drew no public commenters during the meeting and Mayor Uhler closed the public hearing.