What: a new Zoning Code and Zoning Map for Rochester (Int. 352), a temporary moratorium on zoning amendment applications (Int. 353), and companion amendments to the City Charter and Municipal Code (Int. 378 and 379) under the Zoning Alignment Project.
Where it stands: Int. 352 and 353 were held in the Committee of the Whole on 2026-09-22 and were still held on 2026-11-04. Council held two days of hearings with the Evans administration on the project in October (video only; contents not reviewed). Int. 378 and 379 were on the 2026-11-04 committee agenda.
Next: Committee review of Int. 378 and 379 and any action on Int. 352 and 353; Day 2 of the hearings is summarized; Day 1 is not.
Details
The 2026-09-10 committee agenda said a public hearing on Int. 352 and 353 was set for 2026-09-17, but the 2026-09-22 minutes say there were no public hearings in September. The conflict is unresolved.
The City's backup documents for Int. 352 and 353 are posted with the 2026-09-22 materials.
Int. 378 and 379 (Zoning Alignment Project charter and code amendments) were discussed in the Neighborhoods, Jobs and Housing Committee. Staff said they are companion legislation entered now only to enter the Council cycle, to be voted when the new code and map are adopted; they update cross-references to the zoning code in the City Charter and Municipal Code.
Int. 378 was amended to take effect on the later of filing with the Secretary of State and the effective date of Int. 352 (the new zoning map); counsel will find out whether Int. 379 needs the same wording. Both items were then held.
Members asked for written answers on whether renaming Center City to Downtown Mixed Use changes tax-exemption eligibility and boundaries, old and new district boundaries and who is affected, the number and reasons for inspection warrants issued since 2024, whether residential owners use the historic property tax exemption, and the rationale for the animal-keeping rules (goats).
Day 2 covered Articles 13-24: the historic resources list and owner notification, accessory dwelling units, parking, landscaping, billboards, notice, and the deferral of Short-Term Rental Regulation. Public hearing set for November 12; questions due Monday; staff owe written follow-ups on historic list outreach and parking analysis.
Administration presented Articles 1-3, the use table, zoning map and environmental impact statement; Council leadership said no vote will be held in November and more public hearings are expected in December. Rochester 2034 is the stated policy basis; district renaming, nonconformities, equity language in Article 1, urban renewal districts and map edge changes were questioned. See also Accessory Dwelling Units in the Zoning Code, Parking Minimums and Transportation Access Plans, Public Notice Under the New Zoning Code.