Council puts hold on ‘environmentally sensitive’ development while zoning code is finalized
The City Council on Wednesday adopted an interim urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on potential development of industrial and other “heavy” uses – such as chemical manufacturing and outdoor storage – in “business park” zones of the City. The move, which was brought to the table by Council Member Carmen Cave, came as Planning Director Genia Garcia gets set to retire.
“The process of hiring a new planning director is lengthy, and I do not want anything to fall through the cracks,” Cave said.
The Planning Commission is in the process of considering the City’s final zoning code and zoning map. The code includes some uses the City is targeting for economic development purposes. The concern is the project will not be completed before Garcia’s Feb. 27 departure.
The ordinance, which the council will readopt at its Feb. 4 meeting, will put a hold on a list of uses with great environmental consequences in the business park zoning until the council and Planning Commission can complete the zoning code , including the potential creation of zones for these heavier uses.
“It is critical that we get everything properly in line and placed in the appropriate parts of the City, so that we are truly looking out for the health and welfare of the public,” Cave said.
###
