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Electric City residents will have an opportunity to learn of and respond to a number of suggested changes in the city’s zoning code at a public hearing of the planning commission, tonight, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. at the fire hall.

There they will learn of suggested changes to the size of accessory buildings, some new requirements for home occupation business permits and for the size and placement of fences in the city.

The main change is in the size of accessory buildings, a hot topic in the city for nearly two years.

Currently the city’s zoning code only allows accessory buildings to be no larger than 850 square feet in size, and the new proposal would allow the maximum size of any single accessory building to grow to 1,728 square feet.

The change in size of accessory buildings has been a near constant topic of the city’s planning commission for over 18 months and has occupied many discussions by the city council.

Now the planning commission is holding its public hearing, and, after any changes it makes, will present its proposal to the city council. The council will hold its own public hearing on the matter at a later date.

Its current recommendations for accessory buildings:

Single accessory buildings to 1,728 square feet;

exterior wall no higher than 16 feet;

the overall height not over 26 feet; and

the exterior finish similar but not necessarily the same as the primary residence. For home occupations:

Need a business license;

must be incidental and subordinate to living quarters;

no exterior windows of operation and no visible signs of it outside.

For fencing:

Solid fencing on corner lots shall not hinder sight for motorists;

fences and walls shall not exceed six feet; privacy screens or fences shall not exceed eight feet.

The planning commission encourages residents to come to the meeting and express their desires on the issues. The commission will then make changes, if necessary, and submit recommendations to the council.

The council will review changes, may make its own, and have its own public hearing before any changes become official.

A full report on changes is on the Electric City website at www.electriccity.us.