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The city could become more business-friendly in terms of zoning law.
On Monday, the city planning commission began that process by agreeing to look at proposed changes by the zoning administrator.
Gary Knarr, the administrator, said he'd been working on the draft for the past two years.
The changes, as proposed, are meant to create a more developable city.
"We want to especially give flexibility for new businesses to utilize the zoning ordinance," Knarr said.
Harry Sechler, chairman, said the commission should review the proposed changes.
The changes are designed to get vacant store fronts filled with new businesses, and multi-family dwellings to be built on upper-level floors not first floors.
Some changes could create a more harmonious look between commercial zones and Central Business District.
It could make it easier for a developer wanting to build a restaurant at East Third and Mulberry streets, Knarr said.
It makes it easier to have a drive-thru window, without jumping through bureaucratic hoops, he added. The drive-through would be available by right, not a conditional use.
The proviso would be the design plan must not impede pedestrians, bicyclists and keeps people going in and using the business safe.
Today, a developer wanting to put a barber shop or tattoo business on Washington Boulevard would need to go before the zoning hearing board and be required to pay $500 to request a variance hearing, Knarr said.
"We want to change the law to allow mom-and-pop businesses like those to come in by right because they are not permitted uses," he said.
The focus of the changes is not only the central business district, but also commercial and institutional zones around the city, Knarr said.
Chris Keiser, of the commission, asked about the timeline for wanting to see input. Knarr said he'd like to received feedback from the commission by the next meeting, incorporate those proposed changes into the draft and then bring it back to the commission to look at before it goes before the economic revitalization committee and council.
"It could happen by the end of April," Knarr said.