Downtown Zoning Code Revision Progress
The City of Covington is involved in a year long process in 2010 to update its downtown zoning and design codes that will focus on establishing a new Town Center zone. The City is currently working with a consultant team, holding Planning Commission review sessions and public meetings, and preparing a final recommendation for delivery to the City Council this summer, that will propose a new framework for an identifiable Town Center. The City wants to keep its citizens informed of this planning process and invite participation and comments. The public review process is expected to begin in April 2010. Please check out the various documents available for viewing and the list of upcoming meetings for the next few months. Additional future meetings will be posted to this website as they are finalized. Also involved will be consolidation of the existing eleven DN zones into 5 larger, more understandable, and more use-friendly zoning districts.
The proposed town center zone will contain a more traditional pedestrian-oriented "Main Street", new mixed-use developments of residences, offices, and retail uses, a public plaza and open space surrounded by civic buildings, a public parking facility, lots of public amenities such as public seating, outdoor eating places, space for community events such as concerts, and other cultural events. This new zoning will focus on pedestrian-friendly and walkable residential, office and commercial establishments surrounded by quality landscaping. New zoning and design standards will encourage these mixed uses through incentives for heights and density.
Future Meetings:
Current schedule of meetings in 2010:
March 4 and March 17: Planning Commission review sessions of draft zoning code revisions with City staff.
March 9: Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session with Consultant to discuss new zoning code outline & policy issues.
April 1: Planning Commission review session of Draft Zoning Code Revisions
April 15: Planning Commission public meeting to obtain citizen and stakeholder comments.
The public is invited to attend any of these meetings. Other meetings will be added as they are scheduled throughout 2010.
Helpful Documents
2009 Downtown Plan
2005 Downtown Plan
For questions or more information about the progress of the Downtown Plan and Zoning Study, please contact Planning Manager Richard Hart at rhart@ci.covington.wa.us or (253)638-1110 ext. 2226.
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