ACTION PLAN
The Matrix study contained 33 initial recommendations, five of which staff has recommended not move forward. 11 of the initial recommendations have already been implemented by staff. The attached work plan provides details on each of the recommendations moving forward, as well as tentative timelines for those recommendations that are either pending or in the process of implementation. In accordance with the recommendation of the LUDC, and the adopted City Commission Resolution, this work plan will be updated periodically as a discussion item at the LUDC.

Several of the recommendations in the attached work plan require legislative action. Planning staff will continue to review the LDRs to identify amendments that will implement the recommendations of the Matrix study. Attached are three draft ordinances, which are specific to the recommendations in the work plan. The following is a summary of the proposed amendments:

1. Single Family Development Regulations (Matrix Recommendation 23)
The draft ordinance simplifies the single-family home development regulations. In this regard, staff is proposing to simplify how lot coverage and unit size is calculated for single-family homes, as well as consolidating supplementary regulations that pertain to single-family properties into one section of the LDR’s. The ordinance also proposes the elimination of the Design Review Board (DRB) requirement for homes utilizing the understory regulations.

The simplification of the single-family home development regulations will accomplish three things: (1) the regulations will be easier for lay-persons to understand; (2) the regulations will be easier for design professionals to understand and meet code requirements; and (3) they will help to simplify and expedite permit review.

2. Pre-1942 Single Family Home Regulations (Matrix Recommendation 22)
This draft ordinance is intended to reduce the number of single-family home applications requiring DRB approval. Staff is proposing a modification to the single-family home regulations that would allow new homes which replace pre-42 homes to be reviewed administratively, provided the new home is designed with a reduced lot coverage and unit size. This ordinance would expand administrative authority to review new construction of replacement homes, under certain circumstances, in addition to staff current authority to review modifications and alterations to pre-42 single-family homes. This will reduce the number of applications to the DRB for alterations and help to expedite the review of projects which are retaining pre-42 homes.

3. Increased Administrative Authority for Commercial and Multifamily Projects Outside Historic Districts (Matrix Recommendation 29)
This ordinance would increase the administrative authority for staff to review alterations and modifications to multifamily and commercial structures that are not located in a local historic district. This would help to reduce DRB applications for minor alterations and additions, as well as expedite permit review.

With regard to a reduction in the review time for land use board applications (recommendation 29), the administration recommends that the LUDC discuss and deliberate policy options. There is a current requirement for a 30 day notice for all land use board applications. The required notice includes a newspaper ad, individual mail notices sent to all property owners within 375 feet of the subject property, and an individual sign posted on the subject property. Reducing the notice requirements would address this recommendation, and the administration has developed two potential options to achieve this:

a. Reduce the existing notice requirements from the current 30 days to 15 days prior to the hearing date.

b. Reduce the notice requirements to the minimum required under state statue. We are working with the City Attorney’s office to verify these requirements, as they have been recently modified by the State Legislature.

Option b, meeting minimum state statutes, would have the biggest impact on expediting the review of LUB applications. Option a, while reducing the timeframe for noticing, does not actually reduce the notice requirements (e.g. mailing and posting), which are the most time consuming. Staff will continue to review the existing application process, including the introduction of the internal development review committee (DRC) for efficiencies that will reduce review time.