2012-17 AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE - SECTION II. DEFINITIONS - SECTION XX. SPECIAL DISTRICTS

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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MEMORANDUM No. 12-20 April 11, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor Michael T. McElroy and City Council FROM: Ryan P. McCrady, City Manager Billy Tyus, Assistant City Manager Suzan M. Stickle, Senior Planner Joselyn A. Stewart, Transportation Planner SUBJECT: Amend Zoning Ordinance, Section 11 Definitions and Section XX, Special Districts in the Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 3512, as amended) by Adding New Paragraph F, LF-OL Lakefront Overlay District. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of amendments to the Zoning ordinance including changes to Section 11, Definitions and Section XX, Special Districts (Ord. 3512, as amended) by Adding New Paragraph F, LF-OL Lakefront Overlay District. The City Plan Commission voted 8-1 to recommend approval of this petition at the April 5, 2012 meeting; the minutes of the meeting are attached. BACKGROUND: In June 2011 the City entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Decatur Park District to partner on the Lakefront Development project. The agreement represents a commitment to work together in support of the multi-phased project to bring new cultural, educational and recreational amenities to the Nelson Park lakefront both as a means of attracting visitors to our community and as an outlet for local residents. Staff has prepared an amendment for inclusion in Section XX, as Paragraph F, establishing the LF-OL Lakefront Overlay District. This District would be applicable to the area generally defined as Chandler Park and Nelson Park as well as adjacent Lakefront boundaries. Adoption of the proposed amendment is intended to provide standards that encourage recreation and allow for the continued preservation and use of the parks and the lake while supporting special needs that facilitate the use of the parks and the lake as economic catalysts that draw visitors to the City of Decatur. The Overlay District shall allow for the linking of traditional park and lake activities with uses that generate revenues to offset the expense of non-revenue generating elements and support the long-term care and maintenance of the park and lake and overall growth and development of the Decatur community. The Overlay District shall be designed to protect and preserve the existing character of surrounding neighborhoods. The proposed overlay district is attached as part of the ordinance being considered. The overlay district concept was incorporated into the Zoning Ordinance adopted in May 2002. Originally, Section XX, Special Districts, was reserved for future amendments which would be intended to provide for the special needs of and reserve a place for creation of overlay districts or other specially designated districts that have a more specific purpose or particular development goals than what more traditional zoning districts might allow. Overlay districts could include large institutions, educational campuses or other areas, along with their associated uses which typically are established nearby.