More than 300 comments from the community were gathered during the charrette. The comments were used to create a document, “Guiding Principles and Best Practices for San Jose District.”
San Jose District is part of the city of Bisbee, located on the south side of the Mule Mountains.
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Some of the best practices included were development of an identity for the district, clustered development, use of landscaping and signage, and connecting pathways between residential and commercial properties.
Bisbee Community Development Director John Charley asked the commission for guidance on how they would like to see the principles and practices used.
The commission decided to explore four ways to utilize the practices: As an amendment to the city’s general plan, as guidelines for development in a new mixed-use zone, and as two possible amendments to the zoning code for master plans and subdivisions.
The guidelines and practices would give the city answers when developers ask what the city wants, Charley said.
“This being adopted in the general plan would make that answer very succinct,” he said.
Rather than creating an overlay district to apply the guidelines and practices, the commission opted toward the possibility of creating a voluntary mixed-use zoning, which is currently not within the city’s possible zoning.
The zoning could give developers the opportunity to mixed-use development that would apply the San Jose District guidelines and practices.
“In return we would get a good design out of it,” said commissioner Mark Apel.
The commission also discussed ways to update the current subdivision codes, which were adopted in 1985. Commissioners said they would review other city’s subdivision codes for possibilities.
At the commission’s next meeting in December, they plan to review the possible amendment to the General Plan, mixed-use zoning, and amendments to the zoning codes for master plans and subdivisions.
City Attorney John MacKinnon said the terms of commissioners Douglas Dunn and Robert Page will soon expire. Applications for the open seats will be reviewed by the commission in January.
Herald/Review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.
