Zoning code changes hit roadblock, delayed again

• Neil Putnam

Neil Putnam

Talk about it

Revisions to the city planning code, in the works for two years, will have to wait at least another month.

City Attorney Carl Koch discussed some proposed revisions to the new code Monday during the Mitchell Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

“He had some concerns and proposed changes,” said City Planner Neil Putnam. “The commission told him to come back in a month.”

Changes to the code were started by Putnam and former City Attorney Randy Stiles, who worked with the commission and other city staffers. They examined the existing code, spoke with officials with other cities and drafted a new code.

Several public hearings were held.

One item was the cause of controversy: a proposal to allow the on-sale and consumption of alcohol in neighborhood shopping districts.

The Mitchell City Council dropped that item at its Aug. 6 meeting but moved the rest of the proposed changes ahead. Then, on Aug. 20, as the council prepared to issue final approval, Koch raised some points.

He said there were some terms in the new code he didn’t agree with, and other areas that were a potential concern.

Mayor Ken Tracy and the council advised Koch to meet with the planners to see if his concerns could be addressed.

Tracy said he wanted to see the new code in place as soon as possible.

While the issues were discussed Monday, no agreement was made, according to Putnam.

That means the council will almost assuredly not give final approval of the new codes during its Sept. 4 meeting, he said.

Tags: news, updates, local, mitchell, zoning