07-05-2025
Century Code Update nears adoption with ZPAC adding final changes to ordinance draft
EAU CLAIRE — The Zoning Policy Advisory Committee (ZPAC) held their final meeting Monday evening, as members added final revisions to a draft of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO).
The ZPAC group consists of members from the Eau Claire City Council and a planning commission to help complete the city's Century Code Update.
'They don't typically work together, but we have had 11 meetings where we have had them together and they have directed us as staff,' Eau Claire's Planning Manager Ned Noel said.
Noel said that the ordinance plans for cities are typically 'rules and laws that basically dictate where you can set your building and how you can use your land. You might not be able to put a factory next to a house… zoning tries to push factories away from homes and daycares, and stuff like that.'
But with a lot of other things that zoning ordinance dictates, these public meetings also serve as an opportunity for community input on the proposed rules and laws.
Public speakers highlighted a variety of topics at the meeting, such as the concern of bird safe glass rules not accurately reflecting the census recommendation.
Other speakers talked about tree preservation, and some were concerned that the current ruling on tree mitigation would pose increased costs to land development.
Scott Rogers, vice president of governmental affairs, said, 'Given our economic challenges, the stated goal to 'produce more housing supply, diversity of choices and affordability' is of critical importance. It's a lens through which all of the other goals and expectations of the code update should be viewed.'
After public comment, ZPAC members worked on the final revisions of the ordinance proposal. The discussion also talked about including new types of courts to building options as a potential addition to the zoning.
'We're loosening it up in terms of allowing more housing choices,' Noel said. 'We are trying to innovate in terms of more housing product types so that people aren't stuck either in an apartment building or a single-family. We have got some other options there, and hopefully our builders will respond to trying some of that product type.'
Another talking point for the ZPAC meeting was the new ruling on tree preservation.
'We are a very scenic city, so ZPAC wants to preserve more trees, which we don't have a rule on right now,' Noel said.
Current ruling in the update is set at 30% for 12 inch diameter trees. This refers to trees such as white pines or oaks that may be considered higher value, and when they are cut down on a property, home builders may have to replant or pay a cost depending on how many trees are cut.
'If [the diameter] is 12 inches or greater, those inches cut down on your development site count. Whatever that total inch number is — let's say you have 100 inches of trees that you are cutting down of high value species, you've got to replace 30 percent of that inch total,' Noel said.
The next step for ZPAC and the century code update is an open house on June 17 to talk about the zoning ordinance with community members. We are trying to get as many opportunities as possible for the public, said Noel, as the next step after that will be a public hearing at the planning commission on June 30. While this would be a vote for the planning commission, it would only be a vote on the draft, as the City Council would still have to make the final decision potentially on July 21 or 22.
Ordinance could see implementation as soon as Oct. 2025.
For the average homeowner, zoning may impact someone if they want to make additions or remodel on their property. Beyond that, Noel said it does have an impact on everyone living in the city.
'There is a lot more flexibility and choices, I would say, for the homeowner and the renter,' he said. 'Especially as generations are kind of changing… lifestyle changes have evolved, so we are trying to be more open to providing those opportunities.'
