STAFF REPORT  

Town Council Meeting, December 16, 2010

LDO Amendments – 10-LDO-01 Item A (PL11-014c)
Consideration of proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance

Speaker:  Ms. Mary Beerman

From:  Jeffery G. Ulma, AICP, Planning Director
Prepared by:  Mary W. Beerman, AICP, Senior Planner
Approved by:  Benjamin T. Shivar, Town Manager
Approved by:  Michael J. Bajorek, Assistant Town Manager

Executive Summary:  Staff has compiled proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance in response to concerns identified by the Town Council, Planning and Zoning Board, and staff.   A public hearing was conducted on September 30, 2010.  The Planning and Zoning Board considered the proposed amendments included in Item A on November 15, 2010 and recommended approval by a vote of 7-2.  [LDO Items B through E received a unanimous recommendation of approval by the Planning and Zoning Board and are included as a separate agenda item on the Consent Agenda(PL11-014d)].

Schedule for 10-LDO-01  LDO Amendments:

Background:  A summary of the proposed amendments is provided below, with a link to the proposed text change and associated background information.  

Item A:    Miscellaneous Administrative and Procedural Changes

The proposed amendment would:

·        modify public hearing notification requirements consistent with current requirements in General Statutes;

·        replace the term “Voluntary Annexation” with “Citizen-Initiated Annexation” to provide consistency with terminology used in application forms and other documents;

·        amend calculation of time limits for installation of landscape materials on exposed slopes;

·        modify setback requirements related to deck enclosures; and

·         modify approval procedures and standards related to town owned and/or operated facilities.

Staff Contact:  Mary Beerman, Senior Planner

Fiscal Impact:  Implementation of the recommended text changes should be absorbed by existing staff.  The extent of the fiscal impact will not be known until specific ordinance requirements are implemented.

Staff Recommendation:  Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments.