Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street January 20, 2026 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. on January 20, 2026, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Danny Laudick, Chris Latta, Tom Nagle, Aaron Hawbaker, Craig Fairbanks, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn. Absent: Gil Schultz. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Mayor Laudick called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the Agenda, Downtown Parking Report and introduced Administrative & Parking Supervisor Marcie Breitbach. Breitbach provided an update on Downtown parking including information on the proposed Downtown parking pamphlet; occupancy data for December 2024-2025; information on parking permits and parking citations including updated fees; average number of parking permits October 2020-2025; and a breakdown of permits per lot. It was requested that a future motion be considered to bring forward a forgiveness program on a one-year trial basis, with a subsequent review of its impacts to determine whether the program should continue. Councilmembers, Mayor Laudick, and Breitbach discussed the number of repeat offenders and what a courtesy notice would look like. Breitbach spoke about immobilization and impoundment. Councilmembers, Mayor Laudick, and Breitbach discussed pros and cons of a tiered booting fee. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Agenda, Pre-Approved Housing Plans. And introduced Planner II JD Atodaria. Atodaria described the Pre-Approved Housing Plan as a “tool kit” that is gaining national traction. It is a library of house plans pre-reviewed and approved by the city that complies with zoning, building and design codes. Community benefits include an increase in housing supply, sustainable growth using existing infrastructure, and maintaining neighborhood character. Builders and homeowners would have predictable timelines and a faster permitting process, eliminate design costs, and reduce risk for small builders or first-time developers. Examples were shown of programs implemented in other cities. Program proposal starts with developing a library of diverse housing types, reviewing program applicability and public outreach to spread awareness. Councilmembers, Mayor Laudick, and Atodaria discussed “not in my backyard”; garage and parking concerns; affordability; benefits for multi-units; no change in liability from current process; and the importance of developer and citizen input. Mayor requested a motion to move forward with the Pre-Approved Housing Plans project in FY27. Dunn moved and Hawbaker seconded. There being no further Council or public discussion, Mayor asked for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Latta, Nagle, Hawbaker, Fairbanks, Crisman, Dunn. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Laudick introduced the third item on the Agenda, Overview of the College Hill Zoning Review/Adoption Process and introduced Planning & Community Services Manager Karen Howard. Howard presented a brief outline of the proposed process and timeline for public review of the new zoning amendments. In March 2025 Council directed staff and Codametrics to begin drafting amendments to the zoning code. The proposed schedule includes a Public Review Period January 28 – February 27, 2026; a Public Hearing Draft in March 2026; Planning & Zoning Public Hearings in April/May 2026; Council Review at June’s Committee of the Whole Meeting; Council Review including Public Hearing, Readings and Adoption in July/August 2026. A Public Review Process and Decision Matrix will ensure that suggestions/comments are heard. Once adopted Publication of the Code takes place and the Code becomes effective. Councilmembers, Mayor Laudick, and Howard discussed the goal is for the College Hill Code to mesh with Downtown codes; form-based approach; and the need to make sure the “character” is right. Meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Minutes by Lyndzy Murtha, Administrative Assistant