Proposed refinements to Dev Code reduce burden on small business

The City will hold two public meetings to seek feedback on further refinements to its Development Code, including a change that will lessen the burden on businesses when opening in a space that results in a change of use.

“Coffee with the Code” meetings will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon on Friday, Jan. 3 and Monday, Jan. 6, at the Prisma Health Welcome Center in Unity Park. The public also may comment online.

Planning and Development staff are proposing reductions to “Change of Use” standards. For example, under the current regulations a hair salon planning to open in a building that was last occupied by a financial management office would be required to make site improvements related to parking, landscaping, and pedestrian access. If the proposed code revisions are approved, changes in use that are equal to or are of lesser intensity, like the aforementioned example, would be subject to reduced standards. A change of use that is considered an increase in intensity, for example, a former financial management office being transformed into a restaurant, would still require sitework and other code required improvements.

Before City Council considers the changes, the proposed regulations will be reviewed by the Planning Commission on Jan. 7.

Other proposed code updates include minor changes to the permitted use table, allowances for landscaping breaks for vehicle display areas at car dealerships, increase tree protection along state highways, reduction of waiting period related to demolition of historic structures and a change to meeting requirements for proposed subdivisions.