CC-1 ground-floor commercial code amendment

Every hearing and vote

1. May 18, 2021 · City Council work session

   CC-1 downtown zone changes allowing housing

   Discussed

   Senior Planner Adam Olsen reviewed Planning Commission-recommended CC-1 Central Commercial zone changes from the 2020 downtown economic development study: housing allowed with no density cap ('if it can be parked, it can be built'), no ground-floor residential on Main Street, parking behind buildings, auto sales and manufacturing removed, and four required design elements reflecting historic buildings. Councilmember Carroll disclosed a family member interested in developing downtown. Councilmember Shelton sought a minimum parcel size and said downtown roads and intersections cannot handle high-density housing without traffic studies; councilmembers asked for clearer material and architectural standards. Staff said three applications were active; the council considered but did not pursue a moratorium or repeal.

   • Councilmember Carroll disclosed a family member interested in downtown development

2. January 8, 2025 · Planning Commission

   CC-1 Central Commercial zone ground-floor commercial code amendment (Section 17.4.401)

   Recommended for approval · 6-0

   Requires ground-floor retail or office space in multi-family buildings that front a right-of-way in the downtown CC-1 zone, allowing residential only on upper floors, to strengthen the downtown core. Senior Planner Travis Van Ekelenburg said the recent apartments by the Presbyterian Church would have needed ground-floor commercial under the rule. The recommendation changes the wording to 'public right-of-way,' as Commissioner Geoff Dupaix asked.

   • Initiated by city staff
   • Change: 'right-of-way' → 'public right-of-way'

   Moved by Commissioner Geoff Dupaix, seconded by Commissioner Chris Christiansen. Vote: 6-0