Report Prepared by: Kim Espinosa, Planning Manager, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Joint Planning Commission/City Council Study Session on the Public Review Draft of the Zoning Ordinance
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council will meet in a joint study session with the Planning Commission to discuss the Public Review Draft of the Updated Merced Zoning Ordinance, released in September 2015.
RECOMMENDATION
No action needed. Questions and discussion only.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
Not Applicable
AUTHORITY
Title 20 of the Merced Municipal Code is the current Merced Zoning Ordinance.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Under the "Future Planning" section, the Zoning Ordinance is listed as a Council priority.
DISCUSSION
Purpose of the Study Session
At the September 8, 2015, City Council meeting and the September 9, 2015, Planning Commission meeting, City staff presented an overview and provided copies of the Public Review Draft of the new Merced Zoning Ordinance. This is the first comprehensive update of the Zoning Ordinance since its adoption in the early 1960's and represents a complete redesign, update, and modernization of the Zoning Ordinance in order to make the Ordinance easier to use and understand for the general public and to provide specific guidance to developers, making the development process simpler and faster. The goal was to facilitate the City's overall growth and development and enhance the community's overall appearance, access to services, and economic health.
Along with the Public Review Draft, the Planning Commission and City Council were provided with a summary of the Focus Group's recommendations, a summary table of the major changes proposed to the existing ordinance in the Draft, and a cover memo with a list of possible review questions. These supplementary materials are also attached to this report, but please remember to bring your copy of the Public Review Draft to the study session. The purpose of t...
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