Council hears pair of zoning ordinances

Ordinances played a leading role on the Cheney City Council’s Jan. 27 meeting agenda. The council conducted public hearings on an ordinance inserting language changes into the city’s municipal code chapter on Zoning, and on a second dealing with overlay zones.

Public Works Director Todd Ableman highlighted changes in several sections of the zoning chapter, Chapter 21. The first change allows manufacturing/production as a limited “ancillary” use to take place when in conjunction with retail or restaurant/food service in the Commercial (C-1) zone.

Under code language, a limited use is one permitted outright in a specific zone as long as it is in compliance with specific requirements, exceptions or restrictions. As an example, Ableman cited brew pubs, drinking and eating establishments that also brew their own beer on premise.

Councilwoman Teresa Overhauser questioned the use of the word “ancillary,” expressing a desire to have the permitted use tied to the normal functions of the business it was in.

“I mean if it’s a restaurant and they’re making cigarettes, I’m not as interested,” she said.

Another language change dealt with allowing multi-family developments in the C-1, C-2 and MX zones as long as those developments followed city standards set forth in the chapter specifically devoted to multi-family construction. Ableman also pointed out language allowing landscaping in infill lots to deviate up to 10 percent from landscape requirements for other developments, noting infill development can make those requirements difficult to achieve.

Finally, language was changed in the chapter to allow businesses to display temporary signs advertising special events without having to get a permit, as long as they meet certain requirements such as a sign total area not exceeding 400 square feet and erected no more than 20 days per calendar year.

“We’re trying to take away the special permits and move to allowable uses,” Ableman said.

City attorney Stanley Schwartz explained that the ordinance modifying the municipal code chapter on overlay zones was needed to change those zones being designated through the city’s comprehensive plan. Schwartz said the comprehensive plan does not include language on overlay zones, which are allowed and used to modify certain conditions in a specific area.

Schwartz said the comprehensive plan was not where overlay zones should be discussed.

“We want to keep overlay zones, but have them land with the City Council rather than be addressed by the comprehensive plan,” he said.

Both ordinances received their public hearing and first reading at the Jan. 27 meeting. The council will hold two more readings and final passage at an upcoming meeting.

Council also approved a resolution to purchase 12 new conducted energy weapons (CEW) through TASER International. The current CEWs are no longer supported by TASER and need to be upgraded and replaced. The contract provides for replacement with an extended warranty and unit refreshing in five years at the 2015 price.

Police Chief John Hensley told the council the $14,012.75 contract price tag would be covered by Criminal Justice Grant funds. The department has only had to use their current CEWs three times since 2012.

“We’re fortunate not having to use them much,” Hensley said. “Just having them and demonstrating them to some people is enough to get compliance.”

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].