Process
Community-Initiated Amendment Requests (CARs) are reviewed through a two phase process.
Phase I - Threshold Review: Planning Commission reviews submittals and recommends to City Council which merit further consideration. The City Council then determines which requests will advance for further review.
Phase II - Final Decision: Planning Commission holds public hearing and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council considers the recommendation and makes the final decision on the request.
Neighbors and community members are encouraged to participate in both phases of the Community-Initiated Amendment Request process including sending comments to or addressing the Planning Commission, Houghton Community Council (where applicable) at public meetings and hearings, and City Council as the requests are considered.
Community-Initiated Amendment Request Application
Schedule (dates are subject to change)
Phase I - Threshold Determination Process
Step 1: Community-Initiated Amendment Request Phase 1 applications due December 30, 2022 at 4:00 PM.
Step 2: Planning Commission review and recommendation to City Council February - March 2023
Step 3: City Council decides which requests should be further reviewed and the timeframe for review April - May 2023
Phase II - Final Decision Process
Step 1: CAR Phase 2 applications submitted if City Council authorizes further review
Step 2: Planning Commission studies applications. For site specific CARs, the study area may be expanded to include additional properties
Step 3: Planning Commission hold public hearing and makes recommendation to City Council
Step 4:City Council makes final decision
Review Fees
CAR applications for property-specific map changes require the applicant to pay review fees, collected prior to each phase of review. There is no fee for requests for city-wide or neighborhood-wide policy changes.
- Phase 1 Fee: $1,120.00
- Phase 2 Fee: $11,200.00