Memorandum 14-177 Requirement of Zoning Permits and Relationship to Zoning Violations for Issuance

Memorandum   14-177

TO:                  MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL
FROM:             RICK ABBOUD, CITY PLANNER

DATE:                  October 7, 2014

SUBJECT:     AN ORDINANCE OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL AMENDING HOMER CITY CODE 21.70.010, ZONING PERMIT REQUIRED, AND 21.90.030, INVALID LAND USE PERMITS, REGARDING THE REQUIREMENT FOR A ZONING PERMIT AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF ZONING VIOLATIONS TO PERMIT ISSUANCE.

Introduction:

This ordinance was a subject of business at the September 17, 2014 meeting of the Commission and a subsequent public hearing was held at the October 15th meeting. No comments or testimony from the public was made. The Commission voted unanimously in support of sending the proposed ordinance for adoption by the City Council.

The ordinance was produced by the City Attorney. The reason for the ordinance is summed up well in staff report Pl 14-88. Basically, this addresses the possibly perceived rigidness of the code and is intended to allow for reasonable permitting of structures that comply with current regulations. Any violations found during the process can still be addressed by the Planning Director in a manner similar to the authority used for code enforcement. It is a response to the realities currently presented in the city with regards to development that is regulated in code and those that may not present a health, safety or welfare issue.

Recommendation:

The Homer Advisory Planning Commission recommends the City Council adopt the amendment.

Attachments:

Staff Report 14-88

Draft Ordinance 14-56

Ordinance review memo

Excerpts from Planning Commission meeting minutes 9.17.14 and 10.15.14