Note: The meeting agenda and minutes list the date as September 16, 2026, but the provided instruction states the meeting took place on September 17, 2026. This discrepancy is noted here; the summary follows the instruction date.
The Rochester Planning & Zoning Commission convened on September 17, 2026, with 8 members present (Commissioner Lisa Ross absent). The meeting addressed three public hearings, unanimous approval of consent agenda items, and a discussion on future presentations regarding the Unified Development Code (UDC) and parkland dedication fees.
Zone Change No. CD2026-002ZC (75th AZ, LLC): Staff presented a request to rezone a 15.75-acre site at the northwest corner of Highway 44 and Highway 4 from H (Holding Zone) to MXC (Mixed Use General). The applicant’s representative, Bill Tointon, noted the site was recently annexed and the zone change was the next step. Commissioners asked about future development plans; no specific plan was presented. The commission unanimously forwarded a recommendation of approval to the City Council.
Zone Change No. CD2026-001ZC (Stencil Group) & Major Modification No. CD2026-012MOD: Staff presented both items together for the Forte Senior Living Phase 4 project (3.83 acres). The zone change request was to rezone from MX-S (Mixed Use Street-Oriented) to R-3 (Medium Density Residential). The modification requested an increase in maximum building height from 48 feet to 56 feet 8 inches within R-3. Applicant representative Zach Moen (Loucks) spoke. During discussion, Commissioner Boyum questioned whether the MX-S zoning district’s original intent was being undermined by the change; staff explained that adjacent development patterns made R-3 more appropriate. On the zone change, the commission voted 7-1 to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council (Commissioner Boyum dissenting). On the height modification, the commission voted 7-0-1 to approve subject to the condition that the zone change be approved by the City Council (Commissioner Boyum abstained).
Other Business: Staff provided a City Council recap of the September 9, 2026 meeting, noting approval of the Cassidy Heights subdivision (18 single-family homes). Commissioners discussed the frequency of major modification requests and the need to track patterns for future UDC updates. A motion passed (by consensus) to request two future presentations: (1) a 10-minute overview of the UDC’s intended outcomes from city staff, and (2) a presentation from the Parks and Recreation Department on parkland dedication fee collection and use, possibly incorporated into the year-end development report.
All right, good evening, everyone. It is 5 p.m. And I'd like to call the meeting to order. To begin with, we are in our open comment period. This is a time on the agenda that allows members of the public to address the commission on items that are not on tonight's agenda as a public hearing. If there is anyone listening or present that would like to address the commission, please do so at this time. Is there anyone who would like to speak? Do we have anyone online? Uh seeing none, we can now move on to the next item on the agenda. I will now call meeting to order and take roll. Commissioner Ross is not here. Commissioner Aishin said he's going to be a few minutes late. Commissioner Klein? Here. Commissioner Krall. Here. Commissioner Andrist. Here. Commissioner Yoost. Here. Commissioner Emmett? Here. Commissioner Boyam? Here. All right. Moving on. Setting the order of the agenda. Are any changes required for tonight's agenda? Staff. Any anything from Commissioners? Nothing. Then in that case, I will ask for a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Motion made by Commissioner Krell and seconded by Commissioner Boyham. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any nays. Motion passes. We move on to the consent agenda. The commission will now review the consent agenda items. Item 4A is the minutes from the August 12th, 2026 Commission meeting. Has everyone had a chance to review the minutes? Any comments, questions, concerns? Staff, Commission. Nothing. If not, then I will ask for a motion to approve the minutes. Motion to approve the minutes. Second. Motion made by Commissioner Commissioner Andrist and may um second but seconded by Commissioner Amoth.