Altoona Plan Commission Special Meeting: Phase 3 Zoning Code Rewrite Discussion - October 21, 2025

The Altoona Plan Commission met on October 21, 2025, at 4:30 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall for a special meeting focused on the presentation and discussion of Phase 3 chapters of the Zoning and Development Code Rewrite. Planning Director Taylor Greenwell led the presentation, covering access and mobility, subdivision standards, nonconformities, and administrative procedures. Commissioners and staff discussed specific provisions, parking ratios, temporary signage, and next steps for adopting the full code. No public comments were received.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the Citizens Participation Period.

Discussion Items

• Access and Mobility Standards: Greenwell reviewed proposed standards for street cross-sections, sidewalk widths, tree requirements, driveway curb cuts, parking minimums, and internal access drives. Commissioner Sue raised concerns about on-street parking availability affecting required off-street parking, especially in areas like Lake Road where there is no on-street parking. Greenwell noted that the minimum cross-section for local roads (60-foot right-of-way) accommodates on-street parking, but agreed to note the need for flexibility in special circumstances. The commission discussed planted medians for large parking lots (e.g., Woodman’s entrance); ZPAC recommended against making them mandatory, and the commission generally favored a recommendation rather than a requirement.
• Parking Ratios: Greenwell explained that the City Council requested reducing the minimum parking requirement from 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit to 1 space per dwelling unit. Commissioner Sue expressed concern that 1 space per unit is insufficient, citing examples of overflow parking at Lake Road. Greenwell confirmed that a typo in the draft showed 1.5 for tiny homes—that should be 1 space as well. The commission accepted that the final code would reflect the 1-to-1 ratio for all dwelling units.
• Subdivision Standards: Greenwell introduced a new type of subdivision called "conservation subdivision," allowing smaller lots in exchange for preserving at least 50% of the gross site area as permanent conservation land. This is optional for developers. The commission also discussed park dedication requirements, with Greenwell proposing a simplified formula or point system to replace the current convoluted process. Commissioner Rock asked about the distance from parks (quarter-mile exemption) and whether school or county parks count; Greenwell said these need clearer definitions and that county parks would not count because dedications are for city parks only.
• Nonconformities: Greenwell outlined provisions for nonconforming uses, lots, buildings, and signs, noting that they follow state code. He addressed a question about River Prairie sign variances, stating that many signs approved there exceeded the existing ordinance, but River Prairie has its own design guidelines that allow exemptions. Commissioner Haug suggested possibly adjusting the base sign size to avoid future variances.
• Administrative Procedures: Greenwell proposed moving minor site plan approvals, CSMs (certificate of survey maps), and other code-review items to staff-level approval to streamline the process. The plan commission would retain review of major subdivisions, planned community developments, and conditional use permits. Commissioner Rock expressed support for this efficiency.
• Temporary Signage: Greenwell led a discussion on regulating temporary signs, including contractor signs, garage sale signs, real estate signs, business promotions, A-frame signs, and seasonal sports/graduation signs. The commission reached consensus:
  • Contractor signs: Only allowed while work is actively being done under a valid permit; must not be placed in the public right-of-way. Greenwell noted that the building permit checklist already instructs contractors to remove signs when work is complete.
  • Garage sale signs: Permitted in the right-of-way for the duration of the sale (up to maybe a day before through the event).
  • Nonprofit event signs: Similar treatment.
  • Real estate/leasing signs: For-sale signs allowed; short-term rental leasing signs are not temporary and should be permanent signs on the building.
  • Business promotion openings: Allowed for up to 60 days per calendar year; the commission suggested starting at 60 days and tightening if abused.
  • A-frame signs: Allowed during operational hours; must be removed overnight.
  • Seasonal sports/graduation signs: Permitted on private property, out of the right-of-way, as community-friendly.

Key Outcomes

• The commission directed staff to incorporate feedback from this meeting, ZPAC, and the upcoming City Council meeting into a final draft of the entire development code. The full code will be presented to the Plan Commission for a recommendation, then to the City Council for adoption.
• No formal votes were taken; decisions were reached by consensus on temporary signage guidelines and general direction on parking ratios and other provisions.
• Greenwell noted that a new zoning map will be prepared and adopted alongside the code, and the environmental ordinance (Title 1950) will be separated into its own chapter to avoid state approval complications.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.