Council approves first reading of UDC amendments reassigning sign and design-review responsibilities

The council held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) and approved the ordinance on first reading. Nathan Crane (speaker 14) told the council the changes would dissolve the Design Review Committee, reassign sign-related responsibilities to the Historic Landmark Commission and move creative-alternative review authority to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Nathan said the proposal responds to prior council direction and to changes required by Senate Bill 1883.

Nathan said the amendments do not change sign definitions or the sign ordinance itself; they reassign which board reviews sign requests and add mayoral appointment authority for the Planning & Zoning vice chair. The Historic Landmark Commission and the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended approval. A public hearing was opened and closed with no public commenters; Councilmember Macaluso moved the ordinance on first reading and the motion passed 4–0.

Staff outlined a two-phase schedule for further UDC revisions (phase 1 and phase 2) and said phase 1 will go to Planning & Zoning for a work session in early August and to council in October for first reading of additional amendments.