Code update could ease zoning conflicts
South Tempe residents who campaigned against an adult novelty store last year may find little comfort in this year’s efforts to revamp the city’s zoning codes.
But even though the campaign failed and the store was built, officials are advising that citizen input on General Plan 2030 can help prevent similar controversies in future years.
Public hearings by the Tempe Planning and Zoning Commission, scheduled Oct. 28 and Nov. 30, will provide residents a chance to voice their opinions on a proposed rewrite of the plan, seen as an overall roadmap for long-range city development.
The meetings also are designed to solicit citizen input on Tempe’s zoning ordinances, which are being reformulated to coincide with today’s realities.
For example, says south Tempe resident and zoning board member Tom Oteri, the code rewrite could provide a friendlier environment for home-based businesses.
Under current zoning laws, he said, no non-related person can be employed by a business in a residential neighborhood. With proposed changes, one fulltime employee would be permitted, provided there are no problems with excessive traffic or number of deliveries.
As to the circumstances surrounding last year’s adult-store controversy, Oteri noted that it was provisions of a general plan adopted many years ago that precluded the zoning board and city council from disallowing the developers’ request.
“If someone is concerned with what happened (in that case), this is the time to bring up the issue and help ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”
While some of the changes being considered could significantly alter city policy, others fall into a catch-all category that simply would mirror contemporary land usage, according to Oteri.
One such change would allow up to five chickens in a residential neighborhood—but no roosters or pea hens.
Both hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m. in City Council chambers.