PRESCOTT – Proposed amendments to the City of Prescott’s zoning code moved forward on Aug. 3 following a brief public hearing before the Planning Commission.

The hearing, held as part of the city’s process to amend Chapter 635 of the City Code, Zoning, addressed several changes to conditional uses and accessory structures in residential and industrial districts.

City Administrator Matt Wolf stated that the process began in June, following discussion surrounding conditional use permits and the city’s review of a senior assisted living facility.

Among the proposed changes are the removal of large-scale solar farms as a conditional use in the C1, I1 and I3 zoning districts. In the I2 district, the proposal would also remove airports, airstrips and landing fields, as well as railroads and railroad facilities, from the list of conditional uses.

The proposal would add accessory dwelling units as a conditional use in the R5 single-family residential district, bringing R5 in line with the R1 through R4 districts.

Additional changes were considered by the Planning Commission in July. Those changes would revise the language governing accessory structures in R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 districts to specifically reference Article 10, Section 635-87 of the city code, which governs the number of accessory structures allowed on a lot.

“So that's what's before you tonight for consideration,” Wolf told the commission.

The proposed zoning changes were publicly posted at City Hall, on the city website and Facebook page, as well as through a Class 2 public notice required for zoning-code changes.

The public hearing was opened following a motion and second, but no members of the public spoke during the hearing.

After the commission voted unanimously to close the hearing, members considered whether to advance the proposed ordinance to the City Council.

A motion was made by Plan Commission member Josh Gergen “to send it to council for approval, Ordinance 05-26 and Ordinance to Amend City Ordinance Chapter 635 zoning.”

The motion passed with no opposition.

The proposed ordinance will now move to the City Council for consideration.