Comprehensive Zoning Code update (Bill 2026-0834)

At a glance

What: Bill 834, the "phase one" zoning amendments under Mayor O'Connor's permitting reform executive order: cleanup of obsolete Zoning Code text, a downtown rezoning near Gateway Center, removal of story and floor area limits, 60 foot base height in Urban Neighborhood Commercial districts, and simpler residential compatibility setbacks and height step-backs.
Where it stands: Public hearing held October 13 with one supporter and one objector (no vote at a hearing). On October 14 the standing committee held Bill 834 for one week at the administration's request. On October 21 the committee amended it (restoring the rule that residential compatibility setbacks do not apply where a property's rear faces residential zoning across a street, plus a verbal change to the multi-suite residential definition) and gave it an affirmative recommendation by voice vote.
Main concerns raised: reduced setbacks and heights next to homes without analysis or neighborhood meetings; deleting the view protection overlay; protecting the Grandview Public Realm district (Bill 609 from Salinetro is related).
What's next: full council vote; phase two (full zoning overhaul) follows.

About 59 minutes across 4 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-21 - City Council - Standing Committees	14
2026-10-14 - City Council - Standing Committees	2
2026-10-13 - City Council - Regular Meeting	1
2026-10-13 - City Council - Public Hearing	42

2026-10-07 - 2026-10-07 - City Council - Standing Committees: the chair announced the Bill 834 cablecast hearing for October 13 at 1:30 p.m.; the committee also approved Bill 933, a state grant application ($150,000 with a $150,000 match) for the zoning map overhaul, with Council asking for written information from City Planning before final passage.
2026-10-21 - 2026-10-21 - City Council - Standing Committees: two residents (public comment) asked to defer the setback change and protect the Grandview Public Realm district; the committee adopted two amendments and gave an affirmative recommendation (about 14 minutes).
2026-10-13 - 2026-10-13 - City Council - Regular Meeting: Bill 933, a state grant application (up to $150,000, matched up to $150,000) to fund the phase two zoning code and map overhaul, passed 8-0 with other land use bills (about 1 minute).
2026-10-14 - 2026-10-14 - City Council - Standing Committees: Bill 834 was read in the land use committee and held for one week at the administration's request, by voice vote (about 2 minutes).
2026-10-13 - 2026-10-13 - City Council - Public Hearing: public hearing; city planning presented the package (about 37 minutes), one resident supported and one objected to the setback, view overlay and Grandview items (about 42 minutes total).
2026-10-22 - Page created from a posted agenda; no meeting transcript processed yet.
2026-10-27 - 2026-10-27 - City Council - Regular Meeting: zoning ordinance 2026-0834 listed as passed finally.