Council OKs $500K for rezoning effort
Florida-based consulting firm will help city update code that was adopted 58 years ago
The city will spend nearly $500,000 to hire a consulting firm to update its zoning code, a move that supporters say is necessary and will bring about positive social changes.
During an online meeting Tuesday, the Common Council voted 8-1 to adopt a resolution authorizing Mayor Steve Noble to enter into an agreement to hire consulting firm Dover, Kohl and Partners of Coral Gables, Fla., to update the code that was adopted in 1963.
Under the agreement, Dover, Kohl and Partners is to be paid $499,394 to create a formbased zoning code proposal for lawmakers to consider. The work would be paid for from the city’s fund balance.
Casting the lone “no” vote was Alderwoman Michele Hirsch, D-Ward 9.
“I agree with all of the ideals of updating our zoning and having equity and inclusion within our community,” Hirsch said. “My concern has been about the price tag.”
She also said there was no guarantee the city would come out of the process with an updated code.
Alderwoman Rita Worthington, D-Ward 4, said the price tag for the work is “hefty,” but living in a neighborhood that is beautiful, affordable and accessible should not be a luxury for a lucky few but a lifestyle that is attainable by all.
“Conventional zoning and the way that we have it now, be it intentional or unintentional, has often been used as a tool for social separation,” Worthington said. “Not only in uses like residential, or commercial and industrial, but also according to wealth, class and race. And so I think updating our code and having community, not just their input but also engagement, is going to address ingrained inequities especially when paired with other equity-driven initiatives for developing in our city.”
Other lawmakers who voted to hire the consulting also spoke about how outdated the city’s current code is. And, like Worthington, they said the cost is a concern but people seem to be in agreement about the need for the work.
Alderman Tony Davis, DWard 6, questioned what the council’s other options would be. He said if the city were to seek proposals from other firms, there would be no guarantee that the cost would not increase. Davis also said the city cannot wait another 50 years to move forward with the zoning update.
Alderman Steven Schabot, D-Ward 8, said the city had a special task force that looked at the proposals from zoning consultants and recommended Dover, Kohl and Partners. He also said the council vetted the proposal and while it will cost a lot, the result will be a comprehensive zoning code that will benefit the entire city.