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State Community Planner Kim Morgan informed members of the commission that she is working with Dyersburg IT Manager Carmen Cupples to update the city's zoning map. She also provided commissioners with a copy of the city's land use map, created in 2000 and approved for the last time in 2005.
"Carmen and I have been working together to update the zoning map," said Morgan. "We are reviewing the information that my office has and the information that Carmen has and we are finding the discrepancies. He is overlaying his information with mine. By January, all the updates should be done. We will find out where we have different information and research it to find the right answer. The end result will be the adoption of the full map and a fresh start."
City Recorder Gleyn Twilla stressed that there will be no staff recommendations for changes on the completed map and that city employees will not be rezoning any residents' properties.
Although the map is projected to be current until 2020, commission members are advised to review and adopt the map every five years.
Morgan also provided members of the commission with a list of criteria used by her office and other planning agencies when zoning decisions are addressed.
"I think it would be prudent for all of us to take what we have and look it over and ask any questions we might have at the January meeting," said Planning Commission Chairman Eddie Burks. "We certainly want the product to be right."
Twilla recommended the commission decide how often it prefers the city board to approve and update the zoning map. GIS technology now offers the ability to make changes and updates in a very timely manner.
"(Employees) are meticulously working every month to update those changes to the bottom of the map," said Twilla, who said changes to the map are also available for residents to view through the city Web site.
"With GIS technology, it will probably enhance the public's ability to get better, more accurate information the more often we update it," said Burks.
The city board must hold a public hearing each time the zoning map is approved.
Twilla also updated commissioners on the status of projects addressed but not completed in 2009 and projects that might be included on upcoming agendas.
2009 projects still under way include:
* Microtel project - "We should see construction out there in the early spring if not sooner," said Twilla.
Items Twilla said might appear in front of commission members in the future:
* a facelift for Dyersburg Square shopping center, located behind McDonald's, with a new owner promoting retail and office space
* an aggressive strategy to create two more lots on Lake Road
* a request to establish a mobile home park within the Dyersburg city limits
* progression of the River Park project
* a possible grant for signalization of the downtown district
Morgan and Twilla both recommended the commission focus on planning during this slow season of economic development, with Morgan stating that Dyersburg is the only municipality she serves with a current land use plan.
Burks requested that the city board look into the planning commission's proposed sign ordinance in 2010.
"I want to commend (you commissioners) for your service and wish you a merry Christmas," said Burks at the conclusion of the meeting. "I ask you keep the city and our country in your prayers. These are unusual times and scary for folks in a lot of ways. Thank you for a good 2009 and let's pray for a better 2010."
Criteria provided by Morgan to be used by Planning Commission members to assist in making sound and consistent decisions when reviewing a rezoning request include:
* consistency with Future Land Use Plan
* consistency with Growth Policies
* infrastructure support for intended use, including roads and utilities
* the existing land use pattern
* the possible creation of an isolated district unrelated to adjacent and nearby districts
* the population density pattern and possible increase or overtaxing of the load on public facilities including - but not limited to - schools, utilities and streets
* the cost to the city and other governmental entities in providing, improving, increasing or maintaining public utilities, schools, streets and other public safety measures
* the possible impact on the environment, including - but not limited to - drainage, soil erosion and sedimentation, flooding, air quality and water quality
* whether the proposed zoning map amendment will be a deterrent to the value or improvement of development of adjacent property in accordance with existing regulations
* whether there are substantial reasons why the property cannot be used in accordance with existing regulations
* the aesthetic effect on existing and future use of the property as it relates to the surrounding area
* the extent to which the proposed Zoning Map amendment is consistent with the land use plan
* the possible effects of the proposed zoning districts of a particular piece of property upon the neighborhood, a particular area, or the community
* the relation that the proposed zoning map amendment bears to the purpose of the overall zoning scheme, with due consideration given to whether or not the proposed change will help carry out the purpose of these zoning regulations
* applications for a zoning map amendment which do not contain specific site plans carry a rebuttal presumption that such rezoning shall adversely affect the zoning scheme
* the consideration of the preservation of the integrity of residential neighborhoods shall be considered to carry great weight
* in those instances in which property fronts on a major thoroughfare and also adjoins an established residential neighborhood, the factor of preservation of the residential area shall be considered to carry great weight