Unfortunately, residents don’t always find out about land use or zoning changes until they’re done. The city does a few things to let residents know about proposed changes, like mailing notifications to properties within 300 feet and posting an 18×24 inch sign on the property requesting the change. But these efforts to communicate aren’t enough.
So, the city council just made some changes to notice requirements. I looked at what other cities were doing. It’s clear the signs we post are too small. So, the council decided to require a 3×4 foot sign on the property. And if the property fronted two streets, then one sign is now required on each street.
I always thought the mailing of notices to properties within 300 feet was too little and liked the idea of mailing to residents beyond that, say within 600 feet. I didn’t find other cities doing more than 300 feet. Some were mailing to residents within only 100 feet, and others only mailed to the adjacent properties.
The problem with 300 feet or even 600 feet, is that some land use and zoning changes impact residents well beyond those limits. Some even impact the entire city. The larger signs will hopefully help. But there’s a better way.
Instead of relying on mailings to nearby residents, it makes sense to email everyone who is interested in knowing about proposed changes. Ivins does that now but I don’t think most people know they can sign up for this.
So, if you want to sign up for mailings of Planning Commission and City Council agendas that will show what land use or zoning changes are being proposed, email kjimenez@ivins.com and ask to be added to the email list to receive the agendas. And if you have any questions about what an agenda item means, ask me.