Council hears proposed zoning updates to make it easier for day cares, studios and small businesses to open

Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Suzanne Thorson told the council she was presenting conceptual changes to help businesses open more easily in targeted zones (1st Street/Towncor and general commercial areas, including parts of the Arsenal and Columbus Parkway). “The goal of this item is to make some updates to our land use regulations for commercial uses that will ease the pathway for businesses to establish and grow in our community,” Thorson said.

Thorson identified several topics for further research and a future code amendment: allowing at least one zoning district where day care centers over 14 children would be permitted outright (to avoid a full use permit process), narrowing the overly broad definition of commercial recreation to avoid deterring small gyms and family uses, re‑examining the 1,500‑sqft cap for studios on 1st Street, updating distinctions that force use permits when restaurants sell cocktails, reconsidering automatic use‑permit triggers for live entertainment, and reviewing whether tattoo/piercing businesses must remain ancillary. Councilmembers suggested overlay zones for institutional uses, preapproved event lists to avoid one‑off use permits for holidays, and more precise definitions for formula businesses and alcohol‑related concentration limits.

Thorson said staff will scope a more detailed zoning amendment for public hearings in the spring and recommended a commission‑format study session to broaden participation. A downtown resident urged earlier inclusion of downtown residents in the stakeholder process. The council provided direction; no final ordinance was adopted at this meeting.