The Planning Department is responsible for all long and short-term physical planning functions for the City. Short-term planning involves review of new development and redevelopment of office, commercial, residential, and industrial projects to ensure that they meet Zoning Code requirements. Activities also include the review of signs (both permanent and temporary), fences and occupancy permits and other types of applications, such as variance requests and conditional use permits. The Department is also responsible for ensuring that existing development remains compliant with the Zoning Code.

The Planning Department accepts and processes zoning and subdivision (plat) applications and provides technical guidance to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, and the City Council. The Department is also responsible for the administration of various state and federal grant programs as well as conducting special studies including census and demographic data, and revisions to development codes.

The framework for long-term planning is the comprehensive plan, Imagine Sidney 2020, which provides guidance for development over the next 10 – 20 years. Sidney is constantly shaping its future through the daily decision-making process, but the community also needs to periodically examine itself from a wider perspective. This wider perspective is the function of the comprehensive plan.

The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews and determines requests for variances, conditional uses and interpretations of the Zoning Code.

Application forms and information about the processes can be downloaded. Forms Download page. If you have questions, please call the Planning Department at 498-8131.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets on the third Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers when there are requests to review. The Board generally reaches a decision for each case during the meeting, but may choose to table any item in order to clarify findings or request further information.

Zoning Board of Appeals agenda for
4/19/2010

Application Deadline (5:00 p.m.)	Meeting Date (4:00 p.m.)
1/4/2010	1/19/10*
2/1/2010	2/16/2010*
3/1/2010	3/15/2010
4/5/2010	4/19/2010
5/3/2010	5/17/2010
6/7/2010	6/21/2010
7/6/2010*	7/19/2010
8/2/2010	8/16/2010
9/7/2010*	9/20/2010
10/4/2010	10/18/2010
11/1/2010	11/15/2010
12/6/2010	12/20/2010

 

The Planning Commission is responsible for the City’s long range, comprehensive planning process. The Commission also advises Council on planning, zoning and platting matters. The following requests are reviewed by the Commission:

• Preliminary and final subdivision plats
• Replats and vacation plats
• Right-of-way (street and alley) vacations
• Rezoning (Zone Map amendments)
• Annexation petitions and establishment of zoning district for annexations
• Planned Unit Development preliminary and final plans
• Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulation amendments
  

Application forms for the majority of the above actions can be downloaded.Click here for Forms Download page. If no form is available or you are not sure which form to use, please call the Planning Department at 498-8131.

The Planning Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Planning Commission agenda for
July 19, 2010 meeting cancelled

Application Deadline (5:00 p.m.)	Meeting Date (7:30 p.m.)	Forward to Council (no public hearing required)	or	Forward to Council (public hearing required)
12/28/2009	1/19/10*	1/25/2010		2/08/2010
1/25/2010	2/16/2010*	2/22/2010		3/08/2010
2/22/2010	3/15/2010	3/22/2010		4/12/2010
3/29/2010	4/19/2010	4/26/2010		5/10/2010
4/26/2010	5/17/2010	5/24/2010		6/14/2010
6/1//2010*	6/21/2010	6/28/2010		7/12/2010
6/28/2010	July 19, 2010	7/26/2010		8/09/2010
7/26/2010	8/16/2010	8/23/2010		9/13/2010
8/30/2010	9/20/2010	9/27/2010		10/11/2010
9/27/2010	10/18/2010	10/25/2010		11/08/2010
10/25/2010	11/15/2010	11/22/2010		12/13/2010
11/29/2010	12/20/2010	12/27/2010		1/10/2011