Public Hearing Process

Permits requiring public hearings include the following:

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council)
• Unified Development Code Text Amendment (Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council)
• Zoning Map Amendment (Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council)
• Historic District Designation (Historic and Architectural Review Commission and City Council)
• Special Use Permit (Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council)
• Appeal of an Administrative Decision (Zoning Board of Adjustment)
• Zoning Variance (Zoning Board of Adjustment)

The purpose of a public hearing is to provide a forum for public disclosure and discussion of projects that might have the potential for impact upon neighboring properties and / or residents. The public hearing provides an opportunity for neighboring residents to review the application and participate in the hearing process. Projects that require a public hearing always involve a public notification process.

The City of Georgetown provides notification in the following ways: publication in a local newspaper at least 15 days in advance of the hearing; mailing notices to property owners within a 200 foot radius of the site; and, posting of signs on the subject property. Everyone is invited to participate in the hearing process; you need not receive a mailed notice to participate.

The meeting process typically involves the following steps:

• Presentation of the project and recommendation by City Staff;
• Presentation by the project applicant;
• Invitation for Project Proponents and / or Opponents to make a statement;
• Response by the project applicant; and,
• Board / Commission / Council deliberation and action

• The Planning and Zoning Commission meets the 1st Tuesday of each month;
• The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month;
• The Historic and Architectural Review Commission meets the 4th Thursday of each month
• The City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.