City leaders to consider changes to zoning codes that reflect goals of council

Earlier this spring, following the elimination of the city’s planning department orchestrated by Mayor Billy Siegel, and the sacking of former city manager Jeff Briltz, councilmembers, again led by Siegel and councilmember John Gordon, decided to hire the city’s engineering firm Quad Knopf to run the planning department and budgeted $100,000 to do so. Included in Quad Knopf’s charge was a $30,000 review of the existing zoning code in an effort to simplify, eliminate or revise what some councilmembers say aren’t needed or outdated.

See Proposed Changes

See Zoning Code with Changes Highlighted

At an October 8 special meeting, Quad Knopf planner Steve Brandt presented councilmembers with the proposed code changes and recommended that both councilmembers and planning commission members review and comment on the changes and revisions. “This study session is the last informal step to review the changes and make comments, stated Brandt in his report to councilmembers.

Any changes will be incorporated into a proposed code that will be taken up first at a planning commission meeting public hearing and then at a council public hearing prior to adoption.

The Lemoore Planning Commission took the work of two committees that were formed to refine the goals for the zoning code changes and then went through most of the chapters in five study sessions, held in June, July and August.

According to Brandt, the changes generally fall into the following categories:

1. Reorganizing code sections to group related codes closer together.
2. Eliminating codes that are stated more than once or that contain unnecessary language, like commentary or guidance for city staff.
3. Restating codes with more understandable wording.
4. Revising codes in such a way that they affect adopted city policy. This is because the code may be overly burdensome to the property owner or developer, or may be overly burdensome for the city to effectively enforce.

Many of the changes do not actually affect city policy. They are simply changes that make the code easier to understand. However, Brandt stated there are changes that will affect city policy. “Most of the changes serve to reduce red tape, simplify processes, and create more opportunities for property owners (both commercial and residential) to make their own decisions about their property.”

He also states that many proposed changes won’t directly affect the city’s budget, but there may be cost savings over time, which cannot be estimated at this point in the process.

Many of the changes are obviously designed to simplify the planning process, such as the elimination of street tree removal permits. The proposed code would not require homeowners to get a permit to remove an unwanted tree. However, the original purpose of the tree ordinance was to protect either historic or trees that served an important role in the community.

Another zoning code change deals with major home occupation permits. The proposed change would modify major home occupation procedures to those of simple use permit procedures. The current code requires that prior to the granting of a major home occupation permit, homeowners adjacent to the proposed major home occupation, are required to be notified of the purpose of the home occupation and have a right to protest, the goal being that a major home occupation business may have adverse effects on local property owners via increased traffic. The proposed code would eliminate the noticing requirement.

Another change would change the definition of a household pet to include four or less chickens, two or less potbellied pigs, and other small, normally caged animals that do not generate noticeable noise or odor for neighbors.

The changes also take aim at architectural and design standards, including allowing identical homes in a subdivision to be built directly across from each other. Other changes:

1. Provide more flexibility for garage design on new single family homes.
2. Expand he ability to deviate from standards through the site plan review process when appropriate.
3. Simplify shopping center and industrial design requirements.

Downtown standards take a hit as well. Changes include a relaxation of sign standards and reviews of color standards for downtown buildings. Instead of adhering to a downtown theme, property owners are urged to use a preferred historic color.