Eliminating the zoning special exception process
Ordinance deleting the special exception process from the zoning ordinance; more than forty special exceptions are deleted, permitted outright or moved to another process. Adopted as Ordinance 64 of 2021 on Nov. 9, 2021.
Approved
- Type
- Code change
- Location
- Citywide
- City Council: Ordinance 64 of 2021: eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance
- City Council work session: Eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance (follow-up)
- City Council: Eliminating the special exception process
- City Council: Consent agenda: set Aug. 17 and Sept. 7 hearings
- City Council work session: Eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance
In brief
Eliminating the zoning special exception process appears on 5 recorded agendas, from the City Council meeting of July 20, 2021 to the City Council meeting of November 9, 2021.
On record, it was approved once, continued once, and approved with conditions once.
The most recent decision was approved with conditions (6-0) at the City Council meeting of November 9, 2021.
Follow the money and project delivery
Eliminating the zoning special exception process
- Council action
Approved with conditions: Ordinance 64 of 2021: eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance · Approved minutes Record → · Nov. 9, 2021
- Money in the record
No itemized amount linked in the records collected.
- Signed agreement and payments
Execution and project-level disbursements are not verified by this tracker. They require separate records; meeting approval alone does not establish either.
- Work and operating costs
Check the linked records for completion and recurring operating costs; this tracker does not verify them. Record →
Every hearing and vote
November 9, 2021 · City Council
Ordinance 64 of 2021: eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance
Approved with conditions · 6-0
The Council adopted the ordinance, with the changes in the updated ordinance and the Nov. 9 Council staff report, deleting the special exception process. More than forty special exceptions are deleted, permitted outright or moved to another process. Stated aims include simplifying the code, shifting staff time to updating zoning to match master plans and reducing neighbor conflicts.
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-00606
- Conditions: includes changes in the updated ordinance and Nov. 9 staff report
September 21, 2021 · City Council work session
Eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance (follow-up)
Pending
Follow-up briefing on a proposal to delete the special exception process, under which minor changes to dimensional requirements and accessory uses are approved by Planning staff or commissions. More than forty special exceptions would be deleted, permitted or moved to another process.
August 17, 2021 · City Council
Eliminating the special exception process
Continued · 7-0
One speaker raised property value and adverse impact concerns, another referred the Council to an emailed comment on current impacts, and a Verizon Wireless representative supported the ordinance and asked about ground-mounted utility boxes. The Council closed the hearing and asked Planning staff to return with recommendations to reduce the effect of outdoor dining on adjacent residential uses and to address Verizon's requested edits.
July 20, 2021 · City Council
Consent agenda: set Aug. 17 and Sept. 7 hearings
Approved · 7-0
The Council set hearings for Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. on the administrative appeals amendment, the special exception elimination, the Encircle rezone and the Rosewood Park vacation, and Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. on the downtown improvement area.
July 20, 2021 · City Council work session
Eliminating the special exception process from the zoning ordinance
Discussed
Nick Norris said the city processes an average of 156 special exceptions a year, covering things like fence height, outdoor dining, grade changes and accessory building height. The proposal would delete, permit by right or move each of more than 40 special exceptions to another process. Council Member Wharton asked how the public would benefit; Norris cited flexibility, fewer neighbor conflicts and predictability, with Historic Landmark Commission authority retained for historic properties.