Preservation of this neighborhood has been identified as one of our key priorities this year. On this webpage, we will provide brief updates on issues that are being discussed as well as actions that have been taken. Email bettonhillsna@hotmail.com to offer comments and suggestions.

A recent position adopted by the Betton Hills Neighborhood Association was one of concern about unchecked property subdividing in Betton Hills. Approved and pending subdividing was occurring without sufficient safeguards to ensure the preservation of the character of the neighborhood. Many residents expressed heightened concern about the subdividing of single family residential properties into lots that are significantly smaller than the average in the subdivision. The BHNA supports urban infill, but opposes excessive reductions in lot size and excessive increases in unit densities. As an effective way to balance infill and neighborhood preservation, BHNA supported the adoption of City Ordinance No. 06-0-78. As written, the ordinance limits reductions in lot sizes to no more than 10% of the average in the subdivision. With this ordinance adopted, recognition of the character of the existing residential development will be required and more responsible infill will be encouraged. The ordinance was adopted by the City Commission on January 24, 2007 with a couple of minor amendments. It is expected that the ordinance and its impacts on subdividing will continue to be addressed by the City Commission. BHNA intends to monitor any proposals to amend this ordinance. A copy of the original ordinance is here.

BHNA is participating with other neighborhoods to review possible changes to the Local Government Comprehensive Plan as part of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) which occurs every 7 years. The process underway to conduct this review has been assigned to the Long Range Target Issue Committee. A list of recommendations that CONA has provided in response to protecting Residential Preservation areas in the City and County is below. Planning Department staff reviewed the recommendations and provided a response to each of the recommendations before the LRTI Committee.

1. Expand the notice requirements for land use map changes (and rezonings) from 500 feet to at least 1,500 feet and from 21 calendar days in advance to 30 calendar days in advance of the first public hearing (Planning Commission).
2. Give a 30 day notice of any use changes to affected registered neighborhood associations.
3. Increase buffers from 30 feet wide to at least 100 feet wide with a two-story height limit and 200 feet with a three-story height limit: there should also be requirements for fencing, vegetation, and other features which will mitigate the effects of traffic, lighting, and noise.
4. Require setbacks and minimum vegetation to be retained on individual lots.
5. Require compatible design standards.
6. Restrict commercial encroachment into residential neighborhoods.
7. Restrict ancillary uses of religious facilities.
8. Increase rezoning and Comprehensive Plan map amendment fees for properties proposing to be removed from the Residential Preservation Land Use Category.
9. Require a super-majority vote of the City (4-1) and County (5-2) Commissions for properties that proposing to be removed from the Residential Preservation Land Use Category.

Responses from the Long-Range Target Issue Committee(LRTI) to CONA’s recommendation are here.

Additional documents and other updates on neighborhood planning are available at CONA’s website.