07-22-2026 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDA Work In addition to the strategic plan, the Council has worked to revamp the Economic Development Authority (EDA) this year. As established in the EDA's goals and objectives, the primary focus is proactively guiding redevelopment in strategic areas, particularly along commercial corridors and underutilized properties like the 2828 Condit site. This effort is designed to align directly with the creation of the revised Planning Districts in the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which will establish clear, district-specific expectations for land use, building form, and the public realm. Beyond guiding growth, the EDA is establishing clear, predictable baseline policies for the use of financial tools like Tax Increment Financing and Local Affordable Housing Aid. The body is also focusing on strengthening ongoing partnerships with the local business and development community to support long-term economic vitality. Zoning Code Changes Over the last two years, the Council has reviewed a variety of zoning code updates. These changes allowed for consideration of how Little Canada should develop and are ultimately intended to promote quality development while accommodating shifting resident wants and needs. Planning Commission Preliminary Work Zoning Code Changes Like the City Council, the Planning Commission has reviewed a variety of zoning code changes over the last two years. These updates were designed to promote quality development throughout the city while ensuring the regulatory code accommodates shifting resident wants and needs. Comprehensive Plan Introduction The Planning Commission comes into this joint session having hit the ground running. Formal conversations began in May, discussing broad goals of the 2050 update, initial directional concepts, and community engagement strategies to help set expectations for the process. Neighborhood Planning Framework From the outset of these discussions, Commissioners expressed a strong interest in evaluating land use through a localized neighborhood or district framework. To support this exercise, staff launched a web application allowing individual Commissioners to sketch out their spatial ideas. The Commission will return to this data in August to build formal consensus on what the draft neighborhood boundaries should look like. Field Study Tour To gain additional perspective on neighborhood characteristics, the Planning Commission conducted an 11-mile bike tour of the city on Sunday, July 12. This hands-on exercise allowed Commissioners to utilize different trails, observe recent residential developments firsthand, and experience local neighborhood feel and connectivity at street level Alignment of Goals and Vision Staff has identified several areas where the City Council's and Planning Commission's priorities naturally come together. This joint session is an opportunity to set the groundwork for how these shared goals will be integrated into the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update.