“The timing has become remarkably relevant with a lot of new housing starts underway and some significant retail and institutional or commercial projects in the works or that will be underway soon,” he said. “And for the first time in several years, we’re seeing a significant uptick in the amount of new construction and rehabilitation of some of the more historic buildings.”
If the changes are approved by city-related boards and committees and then council, the new laws could go into effect by the end of the first quarter, according to Merriman.
The city's efforts mark the first time these regulations have been updated since 1968, according to city staff. Updating the regulations was a priority in the city's X-Plan — strategic revitalization plan.
“A lot of these regulations are outdated and not relevant anymore,” said Brian Forschner, the city planner. “They’re not really in sync with how business works nowadays and in some cases how people want to live on their property. So, we want to update it so it will allow Xenia to grow and prosper.”
The outdated regulations could slow down the process when someone wants to make improvements to a property, and in some cases these antiquated laws may have allowed development to occur that has had adverse impact on the community, Forschner said.
The updated regulations will expand the administrative staff review process, so there will be fewer cases that will go to the city’s zoning appeals board and planning commission, Forschner said. This will also reduce the wait time for approval.
“There’s going to be a lot more cases where staff can review it in a week or two and issue the permit much quicker,” he said.
City staff will also have more flexibility where if there are minor deviations in the code that don’t have a significant impact on the city or community, staff can approve the application instead of sending it to the board of zoning appeals.
The new regulations would also introduce design standards to help ensure that new development that comes into the community benefits the community and improves the value of the community, Forschner said.
The updated regulations will also streamline and broaden the uses permitted in some districts, Forschner said. In the businesses district, a wider range of development will be allowed without having to go through an special approval process.
The zoning and subdivision regulations will be combined to streamline the development process and make them more user friendly and easier to find applicable regulations that apply.
“It will be one area where developers and businesses can look for everything they need to know about developing in Xenia,” Forschner said.
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