Code Twinsburg - Zoning Code Update Project

The City of Twinsburg is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced planning consultants to prepare a comprehensive update of the City’s Zoning and Development Regulations (Zoning Code). The current Zoning Code has seen many and varied additions and revisions since 1989, but these updates haven’t established a Zoning Code framework that supports a more user-friendly, modern and unambiguous document.

Project purpose and background
The City seeks a comprehensive update to its Zoning Code that is rooted in a vision for a dynamic central area, supports business development, increases the potential for sustainability and maintains an emphasis on a small-town quality of life. The City anticipates the update process to include extensive public outreach with a focus on performance standards, permitted and accessory uses and internal processes related to development applications. A Consultant that recognizes the importance of public outreach is highly desired. The City is envisioning an up-to-date Zoning Code that is supported by the Twinsburg community.

March 29th, 2024 Draft Zoning Map

Available Here

Status Report- April 1st, 2024

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3, Task 2.1, and Task 3.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Met virtually with client to discuss/amend the ongoing draft (Task 3.4) on 3/21/2024
• Delivered fully revised public review draft (Task 3.4) to the client on 3/21/2024
• Delivered additional identified revisions (Task 3.4) to the client on 3/25/2024
• Delivered revised draft zoning map (Task 2.2) to the client on 3/29/2024
• Met virtually with client on 3/27/2024 to review project schedule and discuss future tasks

.Status Report- March 25th, 2024

The first draft of the updated Zoning Code is now available for public review and comment. Please leave questions in the Question's Section at the bottom of this webpage and/or email Rebecca Ziegler, Economic Development Director, at rziegler@twinsburg.oh.us. We welcome your feedback as we continuing making adjustments to this draft.

Please note, the consultant will be presenting the most updated draft in a joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting on May 21st, 2024 at 7:00pm in Twinsburg City Hall Council Chambers. This meeting is open to the public and we encourage your attendance.

March 25th, 2024 Draft of Updated Zoning Code

Available Here

Results from Public Survey #3

Status Report- March 5, 2024

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3, Task 2.1, and Task 3.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Held virtual meetings with the client to discuss/amend the ongoing draft (Task 3.2)
• Delivered a report of the survey results (Task 2.3) to the client on 2/8/2024
• Delivered draft code packet for the Architectural Review Board on 2/14/2024
• Delivered revised Section 1125 (Legislative Applications) to client on 2/15/2024
• Delivered revised Section 1106.14, 1106.15, and 1106.16 (Industrial Districts + definitions) for client review on 2/19/2024
• Delivered revised Section 1113.03 (Environmental Performance Standards) for client review on 2/20/2024
• Delivered revised full draft code implementing major section updates for client review on 2/29/2024
• Delivered revised draft zoning map for client review on 2/29/2024

Status Report- February 5, 2024

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3, Task 2.1, and Task 3.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Met with client virtually to discuss the public survey (Task 2.3)
• Hosted public engagement survey (Task 2.3) from early January through 2/2/2024 – collected over 500 responses online
• Prepared a revised map of the recommended rezonings (Task 2.2)
• Prepared and submitted the full draft code on 2/2/2024 (Task 3.2); sections were submitted as follows:
  • Sent draft of Title 1 and Title 5 on 1/17/2024
  • Sent draft of Title 3 on 1/18/2024
  • Sent draft of Title 4 on 1/22/2024
  • Sent draft of Title 6 on 1/31/2024
  • Sent draft of Title 2 and Title 7 on 2/2/2024
• Held virtual meetings with the client to discuss the ongoing draft (Task 3.2) on the following dates:
  • 1/16/2024
  • 1/23/2024
  • 1/31/2024

Status Report- January 2, 2024

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3, Task 2.1, and Task 3.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Prepared outline of public engagement survey (Task 2.3)
• Met with client virtually on 12/21/2023 to review draft public engagement survey (Task 2.3)
• Drafted zoning code sections – ongoing (Task 3.2)

Status Report- December 1, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 2.1 and Task 3.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Met with client virtually on 11/2/2023 to discuss public engagement strategy (Task 1.4)
• Delivered initial draft table of contents to clients on 11/3/2023 (Task 3.2)
• Prepared and delivered revised draft table of contents based on client feedback on 11/13/2023 (Task 3.2)
• Drafted sections of the code (Task 3.2) - anticipated delivery of full draft is early February 2024
• Prepared and delivered draft outline of online public survey on 11/29/2023 (Task 2.3)

Status Report- November 2, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3 and Task 2.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Hosted Public Workshop #2 (Open House) on 10/4/2023 (Task 2.10)
• Met with client virtually on 10/9/2023 to debrief from Public Workshop #2 (Task 2.10) and discuss public engagement strategy (Task 1.4)
• Met with client virtually on 10/10/2023 to debrief from Public Workshop #2 (Task 2.10)
• Delivered revised calibration tables (Task 2.12) based on feedback from staff and open house participants

Public Open House #2 - October 4, 2023

The following documents were presented at the 2nd Public Open House on Wednesday, October 4th at the Community Center.

• Handout
• Zoning Map
• Station 1- Residential Low Intensity
• Station 2- Residential Higher Intensity
• Station 3- Commercial and Industrial
• Station 4- C5/Downtown
• Station 5- Parking

Status Report- October 3, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3 and Task 2.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Met with client virtually on 9/8/2023 to introduce draft calibration tables and draft definitions (Task 2.4)
• Major Milestone: Delivered draft calibration tables and draft definitions to client on 9/8/2023
• Met with Working Group virtually on 9/13/2023 (Task 2.7) to introduce draft calibration tables and prepare for Public Workshop #2 (Open House) scheduled for 10/4/2023
• Revised calibration tables per received feedback from staff and Working Group
• Sent draft materials for Public Workshop #2 (Open House) (Task 2.10) to client on 9/25/2023
• •Met with client virtually on 9/27/2023 to review draft materials for Public Workshop #2 (Open House) schedule for 10/4/2023 (Task 2.10)
• Sent revised calibration tables to client

Status Report- September 7, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3 and Task 2.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Met with client virtually on 8/2/2023 to prepare for two focus group meetings (Task 1.5), anticipated to be hosted by 8/31/2023
• Met with client virtually on 8/11/2023 to continue preparations for focus group meetings (Task 1.5)
• Developed substantial additions to the public engagement plan (Task 1.4)
• Facilitated “Downtown” focus group meeting (remote) on 8/17/2023 (Task 1.5)
• Met with client virtually on 8/18/2023 to prepare for “Housing” focus group meeting set for 8/30/2023 (Task 1.5)
• Facilitated “Housing” focus group meeting (remote) on 8/30/2023
• Prepared calibration tables (Task 2.4)
• Continued preparing for Workshop #2 (Task 2.10), anticipated to be hosted on 10/4/2023

Status Report- August 2, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3 and Task 2.1 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Prepared materials (boards, handouts, invitations) for Workshop #1 (Task 2.8)
• Met with staff (virtually) on 7/14/2023 to review materials and setup for Workshop #1 (Task 2.8)
• Major Milestone: Hosted Workshop #1 (Task 2.8) with OHM on 7/17/2023
• Hosted a virtual meeting with working group (Task 2.9) on 7/25/2023 to debrief from Workshop #1
• Met with staff (virtually) on 7/28/2023 to prepare for:
  • Proposing districts/zoning map (Task 2.2)
  • Two focus group meetings (Task 1.5), anticipated to be hosted by 8/31/2023
• Began preparation for Workshop #2 (Task 2.10), anticipated to be hosted on 10/4/2023

Results from Public Outreach Workshop #1 which was held on Monday, July 17th, 2023.

Status Report - June 27, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Delivered full draft Diagnostic Report (Task 1.7) to staff on 6/2/2023
• Reviewed past years’ variance decisions in preparation for Module 2
• Coordinated with OHM (subconsultants) on executing the engagement strategy and developing online tools (Task 1.4)
• Prepared for Working Group meeting (Task 1.6 and Task 1.8) with OHM
• Prepared draft promotional materials with OHM for Workshop #1 (Task 2.8)
• Prepared draft maps, boards, and in-event materials with OHM for Workshop #1 (Task 2.8)
• Met with staff (virtually) on 6/7/2023 to review draft Diagnostic Report (Task 1.7)
• Task 1.6 and Task 1.8) Facilitated Working Group meeting (virtual for consultant; in-person for other attendees) on 6/22/2023 to discuss the draft Diagnostic Report and prepare for Workshop #1
• Met with staff (virtually) on 6/27/2023 to edit Diagnostic Report (Task 1.7) and prepare for Workshop #1 (Task 2.8)
• Major Milestone: Delivered final Diagnostic Report (Task 1.7) to staff on 6/27/2023 (full report along with an excerpt can be found in the Documents section of this webpage)

Status Report - May 2, 2023

The following monthly status report is provided per Task 1.3 of the contract between the City of Twinsburg and ZoneCo, regarding the Twinsburg zoning code rewrite.

Summary

• Met with staff (virtually) on 4/4/2023 to discuss and edit draft diagnostic benchmarks
• Facilitated the project kick-off in-person; touring Twinsburg, meeting staff, meeting with the Working Group and subconsultant, OHM on 4/12/2023 (Task 1.2)
• Coordinated public engagement strategy draft with OHM (Task 1.4)
• Reviewed existing planning documents in preparation for the Diagnostic Report (Task 1.7)
• Coordinated a Diagnostic Report explanatory document to follow up with the Working Group (preparation for Task 1.7)

Project Update - January 17, 2023

• Request for proposals were due December 5^th, 2022.
• Six consultants submitted with price points ranging between $100,000 to $159,000 for this 18-month project.
• Proposals were reviewed by a selection committee with three of the six consultants being offered a virtual interview.
• After all three interviews were completed, the selection committee agreed unanimously on a top consultant and would like to move forward with awarding them the contract.
• If Council approves this allocation of funds, next step will be to have them vote on official legislation at the Jan 24^th meeting and the consultant would begin work immediately thereafter.

Project Update - March 17, 2023

• RFP response from Zone Co