The Land Use Committee voted Feb. 24 to approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance that clarifies rules for bicycle parking installation and layout and to request a formal opinion from the Planning Department about whether the city may set standards for materials used in outdoor bike facilities.

Dan Bartman of the Planning Department described the amendment as a set of clarifying edits based on four years of permitting experience, intended to specify acceptable rack arrangements, orientation near walls and minimum security and anchoring standards. Planner Andrew Greminski told the committee the proposed language requires bike racks to be anchored and bolted to the ground but does not specify a particular surface material.

Councilor Matthew Wilson said residents have reported bike thefts where racks were anchored in asphalt and suggested the ordinance specify concrete as the preferred anchoring surface. Mr. Bartman said the city would research whether such material requirements are allowed; he noted and staff cautioned that state building code or other statutes can limit municipal regulation of building materials.

Councilor John McLaughlin moved that the Planning Department provide an opinion on whether the council can dictate standards and materials for outdoor bike facilities; the motion passed unanimously. Later, Councilor Sarah Klingen moved to approve the zoning text amendment; the committee voted to approve the ordinance edits as recommended.

The committee’s recorded roll call for the ordinance approval showed affirmative votes from Councilors Davis, Saeed, Wilson, Klingen and McLaughlin. The planning staff said they would follow up with the council if legal or code constraints require different language.