2021.02.23 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NEW BRIGHTON building tomorrow today Council Worksession February 2, 2021 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle Councilmember Graeme Allen Councilmember Pam Axberg Councilmember Emily Dunsworth Absent: Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Ben Gozola Guests in Attendance: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. Zoning Code Update and Steering Committee Discussion Gozola discussed the history of this project and provided the Council with a brief presentation on the Zoning Code update. He stated the Annotated Outline for the Zoning Code Update project established the overall roadmap the City will follow to update its zoning ordinance. The timeline is expected to be fluid as completing this project is subject to available staff time (which will be dictated by circumstances out of our control such as how many applications are received in a given month, the need to respond to COVID-related matters, higher - priorities identified by the City Manager & Council, etc.). At this time, new Council members are asked to become familiar with the Annotated Outline document in its currently approved form, and recommend desired updates or additions. Staff presented his thoughts regarding the formation of a steering committee to be a sounding board for proposed updates and changes. It was noted the desired committee would include representatives from Council and our Commissions, and would be complimented by citizens who provide needed perspectives not offered by elected and appointed participants. Staff commented further on the chapters within the Zoning Code and requested the Council authorize him to proceed with forming the steering committee. Councilmember Abdulle commented the City was fortunate to have a staff member that has this type of expertise. He stated he appreciated the detailed Annotated Outline staff had drafted for the Zoning Code. He commended staff on their efforts to date. He asked if the Zoning Code would be available on the City's website within a PDF and questioned if the code would have a search function. Gozola reported this project would provide as many avenues to the information as possible. He explained he wanted to create a PDF. He reported City Code was also being redrafted and noted the City was working with Muni -Code to revise City Code. Councilmember Abdulle requested further information on the guiding themes within the Zoning Code. Gozola discussed the four proposed guiding themes for the Zoning Code. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas supported the steering committee idea and appreciated the fact that this committee would represent the Council, Commissions and overall committee. She wanted to ensure that the City's commitment to inclusion be woven into the Zoning Code, which meant the code had to be accessible and