P&Z meeting to focus on infill development

Infill development will be a topic of discussion at the Yuma Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Public Works Training Room at 155 W. 14th St.

Also on the agenda is a General Plan amendment request to change the Redevelopment Element of the city’s 2012 General Plan. Specifically, “Chapter 6 — Redevelopment Element,” is being modified to reflect updated redevelopment area boundaries, recently adopted redevelopment plans and current redevelopment efforts.

This is the first of two hearings to be held by the commission to take public comment. The second public hearing will be held on May 22.

Infill development has been a topic of discussion among the City Council and staff for years. According to the Municipal Research and Services Center, infill development is the process of developing vacant or underused parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed. Most communities have significant vacant land within city limits, which, for various reasons, has been passed over during the normal course of urbanization, MRSC explained.

“While the concept for creating an Infill Incentive Plan sounds relatively simple, in reality the task became a much larger hurdle than initially anticipated,” a staff report said.

First, the commission will consider a zoning code text amendment request to establish the Infill Overlay District. This amendment will not change the range of uses identified in the zoning code. Rather, the district will identify properties within the city which may qualify for development or redevelopment incentives.

Staff points out that the overlay district may provide a number of positive impacts, including increased development within established areas of town, the use of existing infrastructure and the possible renewal of older buildings which have fallen into disrepair.

“As government budgets become ever tighter, the city must learn to grow within, rather than expanding outward. This means accommodating growth within the existing infrastructure network rather than expanding the city’s maintenance liability ever broader,” reads a staff analysis.

“Current vacant and underutilized parcels stay vacant for a reason. Unless growth pressure is very strong and land costs are high, developers prefer land with few constraints; this typically translates to development on greenfield land, as it tends to carry a low purchase price.”

Therefore, staff noted that it is necessary to provide sufficient incentives to encourage infill and redevelopment efforts. The key to success is flexibility of zoning, design standards and fees for both new construction and renovation of existing buildings.

The incentives proposed in the plan allow for flexibility of development standards such as setbacks, lot coverage, alleyway paving and landscape standards. Also on the agenda: • A General Plan Amendment request by the city to amend the Redevelopment Element of the City of Yuma 2012 General Plan. Specifically, “Chapter 6 — Redevelopment Element,” is being modified to reflect updated redevelopment area boundaries, recently adopted redevelopment plans and current redevelopment efforts.

• A request to rezone about .32 acres from the General Commercial (B-2) District to the Low Density Residential (R-1-6) District. The property is located at 653 and 661 S. 5th Ave.