Chairman George called the Special Work Session to order at 7:15 p.m., in the Council Work Session Room of the Municipal Complex.

No one appeared to speak.

1. Consider revisions to the nonresidential districts of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance with the consultant.

Tharp distributed and led a discussion of the Residential Adjacency Requirements of Article 7. The purpose of these regulations is to protect the integrity of residential developments from negative characteristics of incompatible nonresidential development by imposing special development standards on the nonresidential use and construction. Apartments and mobile home districts are normally considered nonresidential for these standards. Increased setbacks from residential property lines are required for multi-story buildings, and will in no case be less than the adjoining residential setback requirement. Tharp noted that several of these regulations are difficult to measure at the time zoning changes or site plans are reviewed, but will provide legal support for post-development response to complaints of nuisances.

P&Z Work Session

May 21, 2001

Page 2

Commissioners generally endorsed the recommendations. It was recommended that noise generated by industrial operations be included under Section F. It was recommended that the restriction of openings in screen walls be expressed as a percentage and increased to a majority of the wall in order to create a solid appearance and better reduce vision. Drive-through and stacking lanes at fast foods restaurants should be regulated as loading areas (Section L, page 5).

Tharp distributed and led a discussion of the Special Purpose and Overlay Districts in Article 6. Commissioners endorsed retaining the 5-acre minimum for Planned Development Districts. Thompson noted that PDs are intended to accommodate flexibility and innovation, so suggested that some of the strict development conditions (B.5. and C.6 & 7) may be lessened or deleted.

Tharp reviewed the proposal for the floodplain overlay, especially the limited uses to be allowed within these areas. Thompson noted that, while parks are a legitimate use within floodplain, it is not desirable that the required park land dedication be largely flood prone.

Tharp distributed and discussed the regulations for Nonconforming Uses and Structures in Article 10. It was noted that conversion from the existing zoning requirements and map to the new regulations is likely to create substantial nonconformancy, and that these regulations address how such will be handled. Thompson noted that, except when creating a threat to safety, nonconforming uses and structures cannot be merely closed down but their fair market value must be amortized by the City.

2. Next meeting

The next work session will be held on Monday, May 14, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m..