County consultants present UDO rewrite, schedule public input and readings through October

Tyson Smith of White Smith Cousineau told the Lancaster County Committee the current UDO step is largely a text amendment and will not change base zoning maps except for a proposed extension of a highway corridor overlay. "This is just a text amendment with 1 exception," Smith said, explaining that the draft consolidates chapters and aims to improve readability and usability.

Smith outlined outreach the consultants have done — two design-community sessions and public open houses — and said boards and 'vision' posters summarizing major changes will be posted online for public review. He encouraged council members to read the draft and direct constituents to the FAQs and website comment tools.

Smith said the planning commission will consider the draft next week and that council readings are scheduled: first reading Sept. 14, second reading Sept. 28 and final reading Oct. 12. He noted the county's residential-development moratorium is expected to expire around Nov. 10, and said the consultants' goal is to complete the approval process before the moratorium ends.

Council members asked about the ability to make minor edits without returning the draft to planning commission; staff and consultants said tweaks during the draft stage are possible but substantive zoning changes may require additional review.