Zoning Watch

ZCC Focuses on Public Involvement

ZCC Regular Session 10/8/2008

In response to a recommendation by the ZCC Work Plan Committee to maximize opportunities for civic engagement, the consultant team layed out a plan for 11 public outreach sessions. A citywide kick-off meeting, tentatively scheduled for November 12, will serve to introduce the ZCC and consultant team to the public, provide background on zoning, explain the need for reform, and engage the media. Ten neighborhood meetings, one for each city council district, will take place over the next four months and will be designed to get comments on five or six of the most critical issues. All meetings are open to the public and an online survey will be available to elicit input throughout the entire process. ZCC members were encouraged to participate in the meetings as much as possible, promote attendance, and strengthen public understanding. PCPC and ZCC staff will coordinate with the consultants on logistics and help facilitate meetings.

In the meantime, consultants distributed the ZCC follow-on survey and will start conducting code user interviews and evaluating existing regulations. The purpose of these efforts is to identify issues and priorities. Stakeholders will be asked to comment on the code’s user-friendliness, consistency with city plans, classification of uses, approval procedures, and other concerns. Consultants will evaluate the capacity of existing regulations to implement city plans and policies, enhance urban design, produce public benefits, preserve historic resources, and streamline processes.