The City is developing a new updated zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations, with assistance from land-use planning firm Clarion Associates, based in Chapel Hill North Carolina. This is a large undertaking, and it is being drafted in multiple installments, or modules. The first module has been released for public review, and we invite you to meet with the team from Clarion Associates to share your input and feedback on the draft. You can find a copy of the draft module at this link: envisionmontgomery2040.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MGY-New-Zoning-Ordinance-Module-1-Public-Draft-Aug-2023r.pdf.
This installment (Module 1) of the new zoning ordinance contains three key sections: • Restructured and reorganized zone districts
• Updated land use regulations
• Consolidated and clarified administrative procedures for review of land development applications.
Future modules will include other topics including development standards and subdivision regulations.
Details of Draft Zoning Ordinance Module 1 The module includes newly streamlined zone districts. Existing districts used in the City’s residential neighborhoods are carried forward with some consolidation of nearly identical districts to reduce duplication. Additional new districts support the redevelopment of some of the City’s commercial sites. In addition, the zone districts are presented in a whole new way, with more colorful tables and dimensional drawings that illustrate how the dimensional standards impact the look of development in each district.
The module also includes new regulations governing uses allowed in districts. The lists of all permitted principal, accessory, and temporary uses have been consolidated into one section of the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the uses themselves have been updated. Notable new uses include tiny homes and cottage homes, novel housing options that are proposed to be allowed in appropriate parts of the City. The standards that apply to specific uses have been carried forward and, where appropriate, updated to help improve the quality of development in the City. New standards have been added, such as for cellular communications towers. The updated Zoning Ordinance also includes new or updated definitions of all the uses.
Finally, the module consolidates all administrative procedures into one section. Also they have been reorganized and streamlined to be easier to use and understand, with flowcharts that illustrate each step of the development review process. Procedures are important because they govern the review and decision-making process on all development applications, including rezoning applications or requests for a special exceptions or a variance.
Clarion Associates will be presenting Public Draft Module 1 of the Zoning Ordinance update to the City Planning Commission on Thursday October 26, 2023 at 5pm at City of Montgomery City Hall in the Auditorium.
Clarion Associates will be in town and available to meet with any and all zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations typical users, City staff, and interested citizens on Wednesday October 25, 2023 12:30pm-5:00pm, and Thursday, October 26, 2023 9:30am-4:00pm (one (1) hour increments both days) for a presentation to anyone interested on Public Draft Zoning Ordinance Module 1, and to answer any questions you may have. We will meet at 25 Washington Ave., 4th Floor, Room 400A (front training room).
If you plan on attending a session, please email Tonya Ingram at tingram@montgomeryal.gov to let her know what time slot you would like to attend:
For any Planning Commission members that would like to attend, we have to be sure that we don’t have 5 or more members present in any one session, so that we do not violate the Sunshine Law.
For more information please contact City of Montgomery Planning Department Staff Mr. Robert Smith, Planning Director, at 625-2218 or email him at rsmith@montgomeryal.gov, or City of Montgomery Community Development Department, Land Use Division Staff Mr. Warren Adams, Land Use Control Administrator, at 625-2725 or email him at wadams@montgomeryal.gov. Alternatively, group meetings are available upon request.
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