Officials say wastewater capacity, street‑room rules will phase in form‑based code changes

Planning staff told the board the proposed land development code amendments will be phased to reflect infrastructure constraints and to align the zoning map with the comprehensive plan. Staff said the city discovered wastewater capacity limits at the West Street pump station and that the pipe upgrades and pump station expansion will take a few years, so western districts are being held back from immediate change.

Chris told the board the work is deliberate: "the city had discovered some, wastewater capacity constraints at the West Street's pump station. We cannot add more to there ... It will take a few years." He recommended applying form‑based rules first where capacity exists (Pearl Street corridor and city center) and updating the comp plan and map as a parallel step. Staff also reviewed objective design controls — street‑room ratios, frontage types, facade composition, and a new point‑based landscaping system — intended to enable height and density while protecting street character and vegetation. Public hearings are expected late this summer with adoption possible in the fall or early winter, subject to modifications following public input.

Board members asked about permitting for specific uses under form‑based rules and whether the use table should be revised; staff said the existing table is broad and that conditional use pathways remain for novel or substantially similar uses. Staff also noted waivers remain available where objective standards require exceptions, and the DRB will continue to adjudicate those waivers.