With Proposition 2 looming on the Nov. 7 ballot, the city of Sun Valley is working to finalize 12 comprehensive plan land-use items by the end of October.
Tomorrow, Sept. 28, the city's Planning and Zoning Commission will review a set of ordinances that have been in process all year but are now being pushed along more quickly in light of the controversial ballot proposition, said Community Development Director Mark Hofman.
"(If) Proposition 2 passes, these will already be in place," Hofman said, explaining that land-use regulations passed before the regulatory takings initiative would not be affected by the change in law. "I guarantee you somebody out there thinks of all of (the 12 proposed ordinances) as a taking. A more reasonable person might see some benefit to them for the community."
Proposition 2 is a proposed eminent domain/regulatory takings initiative that would require cities and counties to compensate property owners if any new ordinances impede or prohibit their ability to use, possess, sell or divide land.
Hofman said the city's 12 proposed comprehensive plan ordinances are intended to protect property owners and lend certain benefits to the community. If they are approved by the city before the election there will be no argument about whether they constitute a takings by anyone's argument, but Hofman said the intention is to guide a property owner's development rights.
"They are government regulations" that control growth, Hofman said. "But, they grant certain (development) rights."
The ordinances for review tomorrow include ordinances and amendments governing riparian areas, natural resource and special sites, an ordinance establishing several zoning overlay districts and a zoning map amendment. Also for consideration are a rezone of certain properties, an amendment to the development code master plan development section, Residential and Commercial Center zoning district mass and scale ordinances, and a residential and commercial design guidelines ordinance. A planned unit development ordinance and amendments to the workforce housing linkage development code and regulations are also up for review.
Hofman said the commission has the ability to continue the items for review into next week, but the commission's recommendations should be before the City Council by about Oct. 19 to ensure proper notice and review prior to the election, which is the city's intention, Hofman said.
