Title
Ordinance Amending Section 30-9-5.1(B), of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) to Adjust the Threshold for Type B Outdoor Display
Body
Department: Planning
Council District: All Districts
Public Hearing: Yes
Advertising Date/By: October 8 and 15, 2015/City Clerk
Contact 1 and Phone: Steve Galanti at 373-2918
Contact 2 and Phone: Sue Schwartz at 373-2149
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the text amendment is to amend the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) to adjust the threshold for Type B Outdoor Display. The City Council is required to hold a public hearing on this amendment before considering its approval.
BACKGROUND:
When the Land Development Ordinance was adopted in June 2010 it included new provisions for Outdoor Display (retail areas open to the public) and Outdoor Storage (areas that are not open to the public). The intent with these new provisions was to ensure that these spaces were not placed in a manner to interfere with parking areas, the ability to maneuver safely through the site or the ability of emergency vehicles to access all points of the site. These provisions also included required screening to protect adjacent residential areas and public streets, as warranted.
Currently the LDO provides for Type A Outdoor Display with very limited (max. 15% of gross retail area) outdoor retail spaces (such as garden supplies and plants) and Type B Outdoor Display where the majority (at least 51%) of the retail space is located outside (such as car lots).
Amanda Hodierne requested an amendment to the Land Development Ordinance to adjust the minimum threshold for Type B Outdoor Display to 40% of the gross retail area. This adjustment accounts for newer retail models that contain both significant indoor and outdoor retail areas, with neither area being a substantial majority of the retail space.
This text amendment was reviewed by the Planning Board at its September 16, 2015. Following the public hearing the Planning Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend approval of this text amendment as presented. This item was referred to Council by the Infrastructure Committee.
BUDGET IMPACT: There will be no impact on the current or future budgets.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Planning Board recommends approval of this text amendment.
Staff recommends approval of this text amendment.