Latest news with #LandDevelopmentOrdinance
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield City Council approves updated development code
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — City Council has adopted a new Community Land Development Code for Springfield at Monday's meeting after the updates were unanimously recommended by The Planning & Zoning Commission. The updated code passed 8-1, with Councilman Derek Lee being the sole opposing vote. The development code's last major update was in 1995. The City of Springfield says the new land development code updates focus on zoning code and subdivision regulations as part of the City's Forward SGF plan. 'Forward SGF was an immense community engagement process that involved significant input from neighborhoods, businesses, as well as historical, environmental, and cultural interests,' said Steve Childers, Planning and Development director. 'The vision set out by Forward SGF established a bold new direction for the City of Springfield, one that required an update to the City's zoning code.' Greene County sees surge in delinquent taxes after tags bill Some of the more notable changes to the code include, but are not limited to: Shifting administration of the Land Development Ordinance to the director of Planning and Development Establishing two tiers of rezoning – open, or straight rezoning and rezoning with a site plan Establishing two tiers of site plan modifications – minor (administrative), and major (P&Z). P&Z approves conditional use permits, with an appeal to the City Council Implementing street design types city-wide, based on context Flexibility in code-compliant public improvements and parking requirements Allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs, a.k.a. accessory apartments, secondary suites or 'granny flats') in all single-family districts, subject to design and operation conditions Enhancing neighborhood design standards by context Focus on frontages and streetscapes and basic building and site design standards Broadening and simplifying non-residential design by context Defined parameters for permitted modifications or reductions, with criteria Prioritizing street trees as infrastructure The full updated zoning codes can be found here. Childers says the city will focus on updating Springfield's official zoning map before the new code is implemented in Spring 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some Williamson County residents concerned about incoming luxury outlet mall
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Plans for a 325,000 square foot luxury outlet mall at the intersection of Interstate 65 and Interstate 840 were announced in January. However, some residents, like Jason Cordova, said the plan shows how 'seemingly, the town is tone-deaf to the rural nature' of the area. PREVIOUS: 'It's a great opportunity': Luxury outlet mall could help fund Thompson's Station's first police department 'Find a grocery store,' Cordova said. 'Find something that the community can all benefit from.' The mall, called Nashville Premium Outlets, would include 75 retailers, restaurants and a hotel. Thompson's Station mayor Brian Stover previously told News 2 the mall would provide an opportunity to raise enough sales tax revenue to fund the town's first-ever police department. However, Cordova said the development is like 'trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.' '[What makes] this so maddening for we the people here in Thompson's Station is that the planning seems to talk about building new things…without putting the roads in first,' Cordova said. Williamson County native Jane Sadler took her concerns about the proposed mall to the Williamson County Commission this week. 'The day I heard the announcement, I cried,' Sadler told commissioners Monday. In an interview with News 2, Sadler also said she worries about the potential for an uptick in crime. Earlier this month, a fight led to a 'rushed mass exodus' at Opry Mills Mall. Separately, on Feb. 4, a robbery at The Mall at Green Hills led to a deadly shooting. 'I've lived in this area all my life. I watched Hickory Hollow be the Belle of the ball. It was a great mall. Everybody loved to go to it, and I've watched what it became,' Sadler said. 'And that's sad. I don't want that for my home.' News 2 reached out to Stover about residents' concerns. In an email to News 2, he said no development plans have been made yet. Stover said the mall's developer, Simon, is aware of the significant infrastructure upgrades needed. He added the town will make sure safety and security concerns are fully addressed. If the plan moves forward, construction for the mall could begin as early as 2026. ORIGINAL STORY: Luxury outlet mall coming to Williamson County Stover's full statement to News 2 can be read below: 'Simon is still in the due diligence phase for this project, and no development plans have been submitted to the Town of Thompson's Station. Town Staff has had high-level and preliminary meetings with Simon to provide firm guidance related to the Town's All Aboard Comprehensive Plans and our Land Development Ordinance, which set the Town's expectations and standards for development. Town Staff also facilitated an initial meeting with TDOT Staff to establish the scope of this project's required Traffic Impact Study. Thompson's Station has spent the past 5 years focused on updating, upgrading, and enhancing our land use, transportation, wastewater, growth, and development standards to ensure that any new development within the Town meets our high standards and reflects the character of this community. This long-term and community-based comprehensive planning process resulted in the All Aboard Plans, which were adopted in 2023. The All Aboard Plans were awarded the Outstanding Plan for a Small Jurisdiction by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association, reflecting the high quality of the plans resulting from the diligent work by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Planning Commission, and Town Staff in establishing the Town's comprehensive preservation, growth, and transportation policies. The Town's Major Thoroughfare Plan, which is part of the All Aboard Comprehensive Planning process, sets forth minimum upgrades required for Lewisburg Pike and the I-840 interchange required for this proposed development and any other development in the area. The Land Development Ordinance, which includes our zoning and development standards, was comprehensively updated in 2024 to increase the Town's standards for all new developments. The Town's development standards include some of the highest requirements anywhere in Tennessee. As the project developer, Simon is aware that significant transportation, wastewater, and infrastructure upgrades are required as part of their proposed development. Thompson's Station will hold Simon and any other developer in Town to the highest standards State law allows. Additionally, the Town, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and Simon will work closely together to ensure that safety and security concerns are fully addressed. As I noted when this project was first announced, I'm excited about this opportunity for the Town. I look forward to working with the developer to ensure that this project aligns with the character of Thompson's Station and our vision for the future.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
