Board recommends approval of code change to allow business and technical schools in RB‑1 district

City planning staff told the Planning & Zoning Board this week that a 2008 city code reorganization inadvertently deleted references to educational uses in the RB‑1 (motel business) zoning district. Staff brought forward a corrective text amendment to reinstate business, trade and technical or secretarial schools as permitted uses in RB‑1.

Jim Bell of Development Services explained that educational uses were historically permitted in RB‑1 and that the amendment is a housekeeping measure intended to restore those uses in a narrowly tailored way. Staff said it considered transplanting the B‑2 (community business) district school language into RB‑1 but rejected doing so because that language would allow colleges and nursery schools, which have operational demands — such as large pickup/drop‑off areas — inappropriate for some RB‑1 properties.

Bell cited the International Institute of Healthcare Professionals, which has been operating in an RB‑1 location and drew staff attention to the issue. Staff recommended reinstating only business, trade and technical schools, without the POI restriction that would limit enrollment to adults, so that programs that enroll 18‑year‑olds or offer dual‑enrollment remain possible.

A board member asked whether studios such as ballet, gymnastics or martial‑arts instruction would be included; staff clarified that those uses are allowed under the personal‑services category and were not intended to be part of the RB‑1 schools reinstatement.

There were no public speakers. The board voted 7–0 to recommend approval of the text amendment to city council.