The Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the 2024 Zoning Code Update during its June 3 meeting. The previous code was developed in the early 1990s, Law Director Rob Broeren said.
Broeren stated that the code developed in the 1990s attempted to impose many rules and regulations on existing lots. According to the draft minutes from the June 6 Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission meeting, he noted that when the city was first laid out, few lots were of conforming size, and that previous code ignored this reality. The proposed code would help by allowing infill lots to have a setback in line with neighboring structures and brings many regulations into compliance with state and federal law.
Clyde Kahrl informed the commission that only three East High Street properties would conform to the proposed zoning code. He discussed nonconforming lots north of Vine Street and east of Center Run, stating that property size restrictions are not usable in his opinion. Bob Beck expressed his belief that no one in Mount Vernon wants small houses and opposed merging PND (Planned Neighborhood Development) and PCDD (Planned Commercial Development District) districts to allow a business next door to a dwelling. Beck emphasized that existing zoning should be sacred for current homeowners. Don Carr argued that larger accessory buildings are unnecessary in Mount Vernon, describing them as ugly and not contributing to the character he desires. He suggested commission members should abstain from voting if they have not read the document or delay the vote.
City Engineer Brian Ball highlighted growth on Updike Road, where full-size garages are being built, almost no corn remains, and some houses exceed a million dollars. According to Ball, the current code creates issues with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and floodplain regulations, requiring properties to have parking lots built to a certain size which could lead to stormwater issues with FEMA and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Municipal Planning Commission member Austin Swallow acknowledged that while the proposed 2024 code is not perfect, it is much better than before. Commission member Todd Hawkins agreed with Swallow's assessment, noting it was shocking to see the number of nonconforming lots on the existing zoning map. Hawkins mentioned that the proposal shifts these lots to the R-1A zoning designation, bringing many of them into conformity.
