Syracuse City Planning Commission Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Syracuse City Planning Commission met on August 18, 2026, to discuss two zoning amendments and a landscape ordinance proposal. Commissioners heard public testimony, deliberated on drone delivery regulations, and voted to recommend a rezoning to the city council while tabling the drone amendment for further research.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rezoning request (2207 West 1700 South): Chris Lesig, representing RAKD LLC, spoke in support of the proposed light commercial zoning, describing a small one-level convenience store with access from a residential road. No other public comments were made.
• Drone ordinance amendment: No public testimony was offered in person, but an online comment from JFRC was noted but not read aloud.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning request by RAKD LLC: Staff presented a proposal to rezone a parcel at 2207 West 1700 South from its current residential to light commercial (C-1). The property fronts on 1700 South across from Walmart, with a single-family home to the east and residential to the south. The master plan designates commercial. The zone permits uses like fast food and convenience stores, with a one-story height limit. The planning commission discussed the access and scale. After the public hearing, the commission voted to recommend approval to the city council. (Motion passed unanimously.)
• Drone delivery ordinance amendment: A proposal by Wing to allow beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations in the general commercial zone. Commissioners raised concerns about noise (69 decibels at 50 feet vs. daytime limit of 60), privacy, flight paths, infrastructure (temporary fencing, battery trailer), and the city's regulatory authority under FAA preemption. Some favored a conditional use permit for greater control. After debate, the commission voted to table the amendment for up to 45 days while staff researches other cities' experiences and considers additional conditions.
• Landscape coverage requirements (work session): Staff proposed amending the code to require at least 60% live plant coverage in each non-paved landscaped area, to prevent large gravel expanses. Commissioners discussed definitions, mature plant sizes, and water conservation. The item was introduced for early feedback; it will proceed to city council for a future hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to adopt the agenda and approve minutes from August 4, 2026: passed unanimously.
• Motion to recommend approval of the rezoning (2207 West 1700 South, RAKD LLC) to city council: passed unanimously.
• Motion to table the drone ordinance amendment for up to 45 days to conduct research on other cities' regulations and consider conditional use language: passed unanimously (amended to add a 45-day deadline).
• Discussion on landscape requirements will be forwarded to city council for further consideration.
• Upcoming agenda items noted: Chick-fil-A at 2700 and 1700 South, potential small parcel near Shortline subdivision, and conference opportunities for commissioners.