Fredericksburg staff announces UDC consultant RFQ responses and raises data‑redaction concerns

City planning staff updated the Zoning Board of Adjustment on administrative matters, including the city’s selection process for a Unified Development Code (UDC) consultant and new practices around public‑record redactions to limit misuse of personally identifiable information in electronic packets.

Staff said the city received 13 responses to its RFQ seeking consultants to prepare a UDC and that staff will score proposals and recommend a firm to the mayor and council. The director asked board members to flag recurring zoning problems they see in appeals because the UDC process (expected to take 18–24 months) is an opportunity to address those recurring issues.

Staff also explained packet redactions: phone numbers and addresses were blacked out in some submissions to reduce exposure of personally identifiable information that can be harvested and exploited by automated systems. "AI is literally grabbing that information," a staff member said, and staff described instances where automated letters led to erroneous payments. Staff said it is awaiting state guidance on precisely what records to redact and suggested confidential or on‑site packet review when needed for board deliberations.

Other items discussed included potential code clean‑up (legacy ADU/facility permit records), ideas for a master facility permit with accessory permits for individual units, and suggested text amendments such as finished‑side‑out fence rules. The director encouraged the ZBA to submit priority items or a “wish list” individually so the city can consider them during UDC drafting.

Board members recommended the city consider a cybersecurity or information‑security specialist in next year’s budget and asked staff to provide corrected STR counts in forthcoming materials when packet data are inconsistent.