The city’s administrative staff is requesting that City Council approve the full budgeted amount of $55,000 to allow flexibility if additional community meetings or additional work are needed.
The legislation may be passed as an emergency during council’s next meeting Sept. 28, after the city’s Planning Commission has a chance to review the deal.
The rewrite of the code will involve technical review by council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and community stakeholders, city officials said.
Specific attention also will be given to sign regulations, residential architecture criteria application, landscaping and parking regulations and administrative policies, said City Manager William Brock.
The firm also will address various inconsistencies as new regulations have been pieced together over multiple years, he said.
“The intent of the update is to create zoning regulations that will guide and manage infrastructure development in the city for the next 10 to 15 years,” Brock said.
The code was last updated in November 2007, said Kevin Chesar, the city’s director of development.
Four consultants applied to perform the update with proposals ranging up to $54,500. McBride Dale Clarion is the city’s top choice because it has extensive experience in updating, revising and rewriting zoning ordinances around the country, Brock said.
Most recently, the firm has worked with local jurisdictions including Lebanon, Liberty Twp. and Montgomery.
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