(A) Purpose. The purpose of the citizen review process is to provide citizens and adjacent landowners with notice of proposed rezoning map amendments and zoning text amendments, and the opportunity to express any issues or concerns that they may have with the proposed rezoning map amendment or zoning text amendment before the public hearing.
(B) Requirements. Every application for zoning map amendment and zoning text amendment that requires a public hearing shall include a citizen review process which must be implemented prior to the first public hearing.
(C) Notice area. The level of citizen interest and the number of potentially affected parties will vary depending on the nature of the application and, for zoning map amendments, the location of the site. The target area for early notification will be determined by the applicant after consultation with the Planning Department. At a minimum, the target area shall include the following:
(1) Property owners within the public hearing notice area required by other sections of this chapter; and
(2) The head of any homeowners association or registered neighborhood within the public notice area required by other sections of this chapter.
(D) Submittals. Applicants for zoning map amendments and zoning text amendments that require a public hearing shall submit to the Planning Department at the time of application for the zoning map amendment or zoning text amendment a citizen review plan which includes the following:
(1) A list of those residents, property owners, interested parties, political jurisdictions, and public agencies that may be affected by the application;
(2) How those adjacent to and potentially affected by an application will be notified that an application has been made;
(3) How those adjacent to and potentially affected parties will be informed of the substance of the change, amendment, or development proposed by the application;
(4) How those affected or otherwise interested will be provided an opportunity to discuss the applicant’s proposal with the applicant and express any concerns, issues, or problems they may have with the proposal in advance of the public hearing;
(5) The applicant’s schedule for completion of the citizen review process;
(6) How the applicant will keep the Planning Department informed of the status of the citizen review plan; and
(7) Applicants will be responsible for notice and other costs associated with the citizen review process.
(E) Citizen review report. Following completion of the citizen review plan, the applicant shall provide to the Planning Department prior to notice of the first public hearing for the zoning map amendment or text amendment, a written report of their efforts. The report shall include a description of the notification process, and a summary of the issues and concerns expressed during the citizen review process. The report shall be included with the Planning Department report provided to the City Council and/or Planning and Zoning Commission.
(F) Requirements are cumulative. These requirements apply in addition to any notice provisions required elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance.
(G) Early implementation. The applicant may submit a citizen review plan and begin implementation prior to formal application for the zoning map amendment or text amendment. This shall not occur until after the required pre-application meeting and consultation with the Planning Department staff, and requires the prior written approval of the Planning Department.
(H) Incomplete citizen review plan and report. If the citizen review plan and/or report does not meet the requirements of this subchapter, the application for the zoning map amendment or zoning text amendment shall be considered incomplete and shall not be scheduled for public hearing.
(Res. R22-05-08, passed 5-3-2022; Ord. O22-05-02, passed 5-3-2022)