(A) General. The purpose of the neighborhood meeting is to educate occupants and owners of nearby properties about the proposed development and application, receive comments, address concerns about the development proposal, and resolve conflicts and outstanding issues, where possible.
(B) Favored practice. Neighborhood meetings are encouraged as opportunities for informal communication between owners and occupants of nearby properties, applicants, and other persons who may be affected by development proposals. Neighborhood meetings are not required for any applications under this ZDO. Neighborhood meetings are strongly encouraged prior to submission of all applications requiring a public hearing. The City Council or the chairperson of the advisory or decision-making body reviewing an application may direct a neighborhood meeting be conducted either prior to or during a hearing on an application if it is determined the application could potentially have land use, appearance, traffic or other public facility impacts on neighboring properties.
(C) Procedure. If a neighborhood meeting is conducted, it should generally comply with the following procedures.
(1) Time and place. The neighborhood meeting should be held at a place that is generally accessible to neighbors that reside in close proximity to the land subject to the application.
(2) Notification. The applicant should provide notification of the neighborhood meeting a minimum of five business days in advance of the meeting by mail, to all owners and occupants within 150 feet of the land subject to the application, to any neighborhood organization that represents citizens within that area and the review board considering the application. The notification shall state the time and place of the meeting. Proof of notification shall be provided to the city.
(3) Conduct of meetings. The Zoning Administrator shall be responsible for moderating the neighborhood meeting. At the neighborhood meeting, the applicant should explain the development proposal and application, answer any questions, and respond to concerns neighbors have about the application and propose ways to resolve conflicts.
(Ord. 05-10, passed 3-23-10)