Planning commission delays open-space zoning rewrite to add numeric standards

The Shelbyville Planning Commission voted 7–1 to defer action for one month on a proposed zoning text amendment that would create a new Article 9 consolidating common open-space requirements and updated definitions.

Staffer Tom told the commission the amendment "consolidates all the requirements into one article a new article chapter 9," aiming to clarify terms such as common open space, green space, gross and net project areas, and usable open space. He said the draft is intended to prevent future projects from counting parking islands, setbacks or right-of-way as qualifying open space.

Commissioners pressed staff about gaps for duplexes and triplexes and asked for clearer numeric standards. Staff said duplexes currently lack explicit provisions and described the R4 multifamily threshold as 30% gross open space with 15% required as common open area. Commissioners raised whether the planning commission should retain the ability to grant administrative deviations or leave such requests to the Board of Zoning Appeals; staff said the draft would provide a mechanism for limited deviations but acknowledged the commission needed objective thresholds.

After debate about standards and the scope of administrative flexibility (draft section 9.2), a motion to defer returned the draft to staff for a single month so numeric thresholds and clearer variance/adjustment criteria could be added. Roll call showed Mayor Carol, Commissioner Gil, Chairman Landers, Commissioner McGee, Commissioner Bolan, Commissioner Taylor and Commissioner Willilhoy voting yes; Council member Blevens voted no.

The item will return to the commission next month with the additional numbers and clarifications requested by members.