The Ravalli Republic recently interviewed Hamilton City Planner Matthew Rohrbach to discuss Phase II of the zoning code update process, including public engagement opportunities. We encourage you to read Alex Mitchell's article (link below).
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NEXT ZONING CODE MEETINGS
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Hamilton's Zoning Code Working Group will establish its community engagement strategy as the City continues incremental code updates
In June of 2023, Hamilton City Council adopted Phase I Zoning Code Amendments, developed with consensus by the Zoning Code Update Working Group and with unanimous recommendation of the Zoning Commission. After breaking for the Summer, the Working Group is prepared to kickoff Phase II Zoning Code Updates.
Hamilton City Staff have drafted a proposed Scope of Work for Phase II Updates for the Working Group's consideration. It includes Tasks that would prospectively run through October of 2024. Each of the four proposed Task periods includes targeted engagement strategies and deliverables.
Staff have also proposed a Community Engagement Plan to achieve the Scope of Work. It would include continued working group meetings, neighborhood meetings, neighborhood walks, civic group presentations, community workshops, a public survey, and a community open house; social media, print media, and direct mail; as well as all required public hearings to adopt resulting zoning code amendments held by the Zoning Commission and City Council.
Draft Focus Areas proposed to guide Phase II code amendments would include:
Attainable Housing
Differentiating Between Mature and Developing Areas of the City
Reevaluating Permitted and Conditional Uses of Land
Incorporating Recent State Law Changes
The proposed Scope of Work, Community Engagement Strategy, and Phase II Focus Areas will be discussed at a public meeting of the Zoning Code Update Working Group on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 5:30pm at Hamilton City Hall (223 S. 2nd St, Second Floor). Meeting materials are available below:
The public is encouraged to review the proposed Phase II Scope, Engagement Strategy and Focus Areas and provide comment.
Register for Updates to participate in all phases of the Zoning Code Update.
Hamilton's Zoning Code Working Group will plan Phase 2 following City Council's approval of organizational code amendments
On June 6, 2023, the Hamilton City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 441, which adopted Phase 1 Zoning Code Amendments developed by the Zoning Code Working Group. Phase 1 Amendments resulted from a series of open Working Group workshop discussions, and stem from recommendations in Hamilton's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code Assessment. They received unanimous recommendation of the Zoning Commission prior to City Council's first consideration on May 16, 2023 and subsequent second reading.
These amendments are primarily organizational and process oriented, creating a new framework for zoning. Though Phase 1 updates amended all sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Hamilton Municipal Code, no changes were made to zoning classifications, definitions, development standards (property line setbacks, maximum heights, etc.), or allowed uses (commercial, residential, industrial, etc.) in any zoning district within Title 17. In addition, no changes were made to the City of Hamilton Zoning Map.
A complete "clean copy" of adopted Phase 1 Updates can be viewed HERE. The results of the amendments:
Reorganize all application procedures into one new chapter. This new chapter outlines processes for zone map and zoning text amendments, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and Special Use Permits. Existing processes have been largely unchanged with minor edits and additions to add clarity and reduce duplication, while preserving the intent of development review processes.
Codify a requirement for records of decision for Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and Special Use Permits.
Add a requirement for noticing zoning-related public hearings on the City website 15-days ahead of the hearing.
Amend Conditional Use Permit review criteria to focus on public health and safety, impacts to public facilities, and compliance with the City of Hamilton Comprehensive Plan. There are currently 21 review criteria, many of which are very similar, resulting in cumbersome, overly time consuming, and duplicative reviews that do not necessarily focus on the crux of conditional use permits.
Amend Variance criteria to reduce duplication and focus on hardship, public interest, and neighborhood impacts.
Amend the Special Use Permit process to reduce redundancy and add clarity for applicants, staff, and boards. The amended process includes minor edits to Special Use Permit review criteria.
Rename Hamilton Municipal Code Chapter 17.04 from “Title, Purpose, and Definitions” to “General Provisions,” and moved several already codified sections to this chapter, including: Jurisdictional Area; Official Zoning Map; and, Severability.
Move “Definitions” to new Chapter 17.32, at the end of the zoning ordinance Title.
Reorganize the zoning ordinance from its existing structure to a proposed new structure. This reorganization does not change any development regulations or allowed uses, and its intent is to remove duplication and make Hamilton’s zoning easier to navigate.
Reorganize permitted uses and zoning district regulations from text lists into tables for ease of reading.
Add a section regarding interpretation of uses that adds the following new language: “If a use is not listed in Tables 17.08.040 — 17.08.080 the Zoning Administrator shall determine the classification of a particular use and whether it is similar to a permitted or conditional use listed in the applicable district.”
Per Montana statute, these zoning code amendments will become effective on July 6, 2023.
What's Next?
Hamilton's Zoning Code Working Group is currently formulating a public outreach and engagement strategy for future phases of the Zoning Code Update. Those who have Registered for Updates will receive communications about workshops, public meetings, hearings, and other opportunities to participate.
Beginning this Summer, Phase 2 of the Zoning Code Updates will begin to address substantive elements of Title 17 (Zoning). These discussions will likely consider code amendments related to:
Conformance with newly adopted and amended state laws
Housing
Title 17's land use tables and definitions
The public is encouraged to Register for Updates and participate in all phases of the Zoning Code Update.
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