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Council declines to adopt broad UDC text amendments after public concern and calls to slow down
Summary
After extended public comment and council discussion, the council voted down proposed UDC (Unified Development Code) text amendments (24‑054) that would have included new open‑space, buffer and clustering standards; several council members said they needed more time and clearer summaries for public review.
The council opened a public hearing and then debated a multi‑topic set of zoning code changes packaged as ordinance 24‑054. Shannon Kettering, the planning consultant working with staff, summarized eight topic areas — including an increased open‑space requirement Kettering said would require 80% open space in certain contexts — and higher review standards for developers.
Multiple residents and council members criticized the process and the clarity of the materials. Public commenter Mitchell (Mitchell Wolf) urged postponement and more public sessions; councilmembers repeatedly said the red‑line document and staff summary lacked enough lay explanation for the public and for some council members to be comfortable voting. One council member urged tabling for 30–60 days to allow more study; another argued the council had ample time to review and preferred to move forward. After lengthy discussion the motion to adopt was called and failed on the council floor.
Council members said the comprehensive‑plan update next year is the appropriate time for major, foundational changes (for example the 20‑acre lot‑size policy), while smaller clarifying edits can proceed in the interim. The failure leaves the current UDC unchanged until staff and council decide next steps.
