Rochester City Council ZAP Hearings with Evans Administration - Day 2

Rochester City Council held the second day of zoning code hearings with the Evans Administration on October 27, 2026. The discussion covered proposed code Articles 13–17, including historic-resource protections and review by the Preservation Board, accessory dwelling units and owner-occupancy rules, parking requirements and electric-vehicle charging, landscaping, signs and billboards, and site-plan review and public notification. Council members raised concerns about the accuracy of the Citywide Historic Resource Survey and notice to affected property owners and renters; administration representatives agreed to provide several follow-up answers in writing. No contract awards, procurement decisions, spending motions, or votes were identified.

The administration recommended addressing short-term rentals in a separate follow-up process rather than incorporating them into the zoning code currently under review. It estimated that developing and reviewing that proposal could take approximately three to nine months, including environmental review and Planning Commission consideration. Council also discussed whether data centers should be defined or regulated in the code, implementation training and staffing, and a required report to Council two years after adoption. The hearing was deliberative; no adoption vote was taken.