ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and the Community Development Director, with a Recommendation from the Zoning Commission to Adopt and No Recommendation from the Planning Commission, with a Request for the Following:
A. To Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 23 of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to the COMBINATION of the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS;
B. To Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX A - SUBDIVISIONS of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to the COMBINATION of the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS;
C. To Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX B - ZONING ORDINANCE of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to the COMBINATION of the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS;
D. To Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX C - HEART OF PEORIA LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE Relating to the COMBINATION of the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS.
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BACKGROUND:
On Tuesday, October 22, 2013, the Peoria City Council requested the attached text amendments to combine the responsibilities of the Planning Commission and Zoning Commission into one new commission. This request was based on Staff's recommendation to streamline the development process and increase ease of use for the public.
The Council requested Option 3 of the recommendation to be processed through the public hearing procedure for public input. Option 3 is detailed as follows:
Combine the responsibilities of the existing Planning Commission and Zoning Commission into one new commission. This will allow virtually all land use development items to be considered by one body. It will also increase the connection between the strategic review that is currently vested with the Planning Commission (Comprehensive Plan, Plat Review) to more easily be transferred to the tactical level review found commonly at the Zoning Commission (rezoning requests and special use requests).
The new commission would initially be constituted with two members of the legacy commissions (for purposes of transition) and the balance of the commission membership would be new appointees. The new commission would allow for seven total commissioners.
Staff has processed the request through the appropriate public hearings before the noted Commissions and the requested text amendments are attached for review. The Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Ordinances while the Planning Commission had no recommendation due to various motions failing to receive a second.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Although some financial savings may occur, they would be minimal and secondary to the process improvements realized.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Members of the Public did not speak at either public hearing regarding the subject text amendments.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Planning Commission and Zoning Commission will be combined into one Planning and Zoning Commission for appropriate land use decision making and recommendations.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The current Land Use Commission configuration will continue to exist as it does today.
ALTERNATIVES: NA
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NA
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Support sustainability.
2. Have an efficient government.
3. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development