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| Zoning Commission | |
| Date: | 12/03/2024 |
| Title: | Initiation of Zoning Code Text Amendments - Housekeeping Amendments to Zoning |
| Presented by: | Nicole Cromwell |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
Information
RECOMMENDATION
The planning staff recommends the Zoning Commission initiate the code amendments as allowed by Section 27-1628.B(1). Any text amendment may be initiated by the Zoning Commission, the City Council, or the Planning Board.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
In 2021, the City Council approved a major overhaul of the zoning code. The Planning staff have been working to correct errors within the code and to keep track of changes in Montana laws, as well as best practices for land use regulations. Several items need correction and updating. In addition, the Zoning Commission has discussed an amendment to the CMU1 zone district to allow some vehicle related uses by special review approval. The Planning staff has drafted a zoning code amendment to make these corrections and to consider two substantive amendments to the code.
Initiation of the code amendment does not indicate either approval or denial of the proposed amendment by either the City Council or the Zoning Commission. Initiation of the amendment allows planning staff to engage the public process with outreach to stakeholders, publication of legal advertisements and other public notice procedures for the amendment. The draft ordinance will be finalized and placed on a future Zoning Commission agenda for a public hearing.
Initiation of the code amendment does not indicate either approval or denial of the proposed amendment by either the City Council or the Zoning Commission. Initiation of the amendment allows planning staff to engage the public process with outreach to stakeholders, publication of legal advertisements and other public notice procedures for the amendment. The draft ordinance will be finalized and placed on a future Zoning Commission agenda for a public hearing.
STAKEHOLDERS
Planning staff will reach out to all stakeholders including homebuilders and Realtors as well as the Neighborhood Task Forces to engage them in a discussion about the proposed amendments.
ALTERNATIVES
The Zoning Commission may:
- Initiate the amendment; or
- Not initiate the amendment; or
- Request staff to bring more information on the amendment to a future meeting.
FISCAL EFFECTS
There should be a minor effect on the Planning Division budget if the amendment is adopted. The Planning Division may pay for the incorporation of the amendment into the official City Code, as administered by Municode, the city's official codification company. However, any changes to City Code affect the entire community and City at some level and so costs to update the City Code administered by Municode should be funded by the City's General Fund.