Release Date: November 19, 2010
 Office of District 10 Councilman John G. Clamp: 207-7276

Councilman John Clamp protects neighborhoods through the Unified Development Code Update Process

Thursday, November 18, City Council approved the bi-annual Unified Development Code (UDC) Update. The update is a lengthy process that is necessary to update the ordinances that govern development throughout the city. Recommendations to improve city codes are sought and submitted by a number of City departments and by the public. Each recommendation is submitted to the Planning Commission's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). This year's process consisted of over six hundred hours of public participation through the TAC, beginning in August.

This process allowed District 10 Councilman John Clamp the opportunity to amend an ordinance to change the areas where pawnshops can be operated within the city. The amendment now allows pawnshops only in the C-3 General Commercial District, Downtown District, and Light Industrial District. A loophole was also closed by removing the Multi-Tenant Uses section of the UDC. This loophole will expire on May 1, 2011. This provision was used to circumvent parts of other ordinances to allow things, such as payday loan operations and live entertainment, in multi-tenant buildings like strip malls. Effectively, the pawn shops were excluded from the C-2 District, which represents a significant number of commercial properties close to our neighborhoods.

"Our office chose to bring this amendment forward due to an outcry from our constituents," said Councilman Clamp. "These amendments are necessary in the continuing effort to promote responsible growth in the city and protect the integrity of the neighborhoods. I would like to thank the Mayor and Council members, especially Councilman Williams, for their help and support of this initiative."