The intent of this section is: 1) to ensure that petitioners seeking approval of projects in the planned development districts amendments to the zoning map, and other petitions that require public hearings pursue early and effective citizen participation in conjunction with their proposed developments, giving citizens an early opportunity to learn about, understand, and comment upon proposals, and providing an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the development of their neighborhood and community; 2) to provide clear expectations and formal guidance for petitioners to gather citizen comments regarding their proposals so that they may respond and attempt to mitigate any real or perceived impacts their proposed development may have on the community; and 3) to facilitate ongoing communications between petitioners and interested or potentially affected citizens throughout the application review process.

(Ord. No. 802, § 1, 12-14-2020)

For purposes of this section, a major project is a proposed project that may require additional citizen participation depending on the scope, nature, or any unique or unusual characteristics as determined by the engineering and building department. Before the engineering department may accept a petition for a new or amended project in the planned development zoning district or amendments to the zoning map, the following requirements shall be completed by the petitioner:

(1)

Preliminary meeting with the engineering and building department. The petitioner shall meet with the engineering and building department to review the requirements set forth in this section.

(2)

Required notice. If citizen participation as described in this section is determined to be necessary by the engineering and building department, the petitioner shall mail written information about citizen participation to all property owners, addresses, and registered neighborhood groups within 300 feet of the proposed petition site, as well as engineering and building department, at least ten business days prior to the date of the citizen participation meeting. Addresses shall be provided by the engineering and building department. An electronic copy of the information must also be provided to the engineering and building department at least ten business days prior to the date of the citizen participation meeting to be forwarded to other interested citizens registered with the engineering and building department. At a minimum, the written information shall include all of the following in a format provided by the engineering and building department:

a.

A statement explaining the citizen participation requirements, including explanation of why and to whom such information is being sent, the opportunities for participation, and how the information gathered through the citizen participation process will be used by the petitioner.

b.

A statement that a petition is being prepared for submittal along with a written description of the proposal and a conceptual sketch of the development and site plan.

c.

The petitioner's schedule for citizen participation meetings, the anticipated petition submittal date, and the anticipated city review and approval schedule.

d.

The date, time, and location of the meetings.

e.

How those sent notices will be provided an opportunity to discuss the application with the petitioner and express any concerns, issues, or problems they may have with the proposed project.

(3)

Citizen participation meeting. If a meeting is deemed necessary, the petitioner shall hold at least one citizen participation meeting at least ten business days prior to the established petition submittal deadline. The meeting shall be organized and held in accordance with the citizen participation meeting guidelines provided by the engineering and building department.

(4)

Final citizen participation report. The petitioner shall provide a written report in a format provided by the engineering and building department on the results of its citizen participation activities along with the required petition. At a minimum, the report shall include all of the following information in a format provided by the engineering and building department:

a.

Detailed description of the petitioner's efforts used to involve citizens, including: dates and locations of all meetings; and copies of all written materials prepared and provided to the public, including letters, meeting notices, emails, newsletters and other publications;

b.

A written statement of the number of citizens sent notices by mail, email, or other, the number of citizens attending meetings, and copies of attendance or sign-in sheets of meetings.

c.

A written summary of comments, concerns, issues, and problems expressed by citizen participants; a statement of how the petitioner has addressed or intends to address these concerns, issues or problems, or why a concern, issue, or problem cannot or will not be addressed.

(Ord. No. 802, § 1, 12-14-2020)

For any other type of petition that requires a public hearing under this chapter, but is not specified in this section, the provisions in Article XXX shall apply.

(Ord. No. 802, § 1, 12-14-2020)