4.406 Public Hearings

  1. At least fifteen (15) days prior to submission of the application to the Zoning Commission for consideration, the Planning and Development Department shall hold a public meeting for the purpose of informing property owners in the proposed district of the submitted application for a Conservation District overlay and the proposed guidelines for the district.  At least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing, notices of the time and place of the meeting shall be mailed to all addresses of property owners and residents shown on the application, to any additional addresses of properties in the proposed district as shown on the last approved city tax roll, and to any registered neighborhood associations located within the proposed district.  Notice may be served by depositing the same, properly addressed and postage paid, in the United States Mail.
  2. Zoning Commission Hearing.  No area shall be designated as a Conservation District without the recommendation of the Zoning Commission.  The Zoning Commission shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed designation within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the application for designation and the proposed guidelines by the Planning and Development Department, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.  The hearing shall be in the same manner and according to the same procedures for amending the zoning map as set forth in Chapter 3, Article 5.
  3. City Council Hearing.  The City Council shall give notice and conduct its hearing on the Zoning Commission’s recommendation concerning the proposed designation and guidelines within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the recommendations of the Zoning Commission, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.  The Council shall review the design guidelines and shall approve the same, with or without modifications, at the public hearing on the proposed designation.  The City Council shall give notice, follow the publication procedure, hold the hearing, and make its determination in the same manner and according to the same procedures for amending the zoning map as set forth in Chapter 3, Article 5.
  4. If the owners of at least twenty (20) percent of an area nominated for designation as a Conservation District protest such designation by submitting a written, signed protest, the affirmative vote of at least ¾ of all members of the City Council is required in order for the designation to take effect.