Brunswick working to update its planning and zoning code

BRUNSWICK — The city recently took a step toward adopting its updated planning and zoning code, which aims to support continued planned growth within the city. The last time the city adopted its planning and zoning code was in June 1997. Economic Development Director Grant Aungst said the code acts as a "living and breathing document." "The goal of this, as everybody remembers, is to modernize and really help move this city forward and bring the planning and zoning code up to make sure we're proactively and responsibly approaching any growth and planning in the community," Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said. "I think that's important for residents (and) for businesses to have consistency and predictability." Envision Group Principal Ryan Smalley said the entire document was examined. One of the biggest changes was including a new chapter that regulates Airbnbs and short-term rentals. The proposed update would permit short-term rentals in the medium-density residential district in the city, but there is a density requirement, so there cannot be more than one within 300 feet of another, he said. There would also be requirements to register the short-term rental. "If there's a certain number of (nuisance complaints) over a certain amount of time, the permit gets revoked," Smalley said. "They've got to come to the city to get the permit." Other updates include regulations on exterior lighting and parking in commercial districts, he said. "We looked at the parking maximums and tightened them up a little bit," Smalley said. "It allows the developer, if they think they need more parking than the maximum allowed, to request the Planning Commission to hire a consultant on their own dime to prove why they need more parking." Brunswick City Council moved the ordinance to approve the planning and zoning code update to a second reading during its meeting Feb. 23. Aungst said the city's Planning Commission will review the document again, and then it will come back to Council for another two readings. "We think this is a really great plan moving forward, but there's always room for improvement," he said. "We're comfortable if this needs to take more time. We're comfortable with any suggestions that you all might have, and we will continue to re-examine things as we go." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.