Public Meeting

Within local government there are items that must be heard by the Planning Commission and City Council before approval may be granted. Items that generally require approval via the public meeting process are property rezonings, land use amendments, and requests for uses permitted on review, or special uses. Application for this process can be found HERE. Contact the Planning and Community Development Department for further details.

The Process

Step 1: Submit completed application, warranty deed, legal description, radius map with Certified Ownership list, and site plan with required rezoning fee to the City of Newcastle Planning Department per monthly submittal deadline. Complete applications are required and will not be processed unless all items required are submitted.

Step 2: City Staff will process your application. Staff may contact you for additional information if needed/or required. City staff will use the certified ownership list, created from the radius map you were provided by planning staff, to notify the surrounding property owners within the required notification area. Staff will place your request and legal notice in the local newspaper. You will receive a separate invoice for the publication fee in the local newspaper from The City of Newcastle. Staff will prepare a staff report for the Planning Commission Agenda and present your request to the Planning Commission. Your attendance is required at the City of Newcastle Planning Commission Meeting where you may be required to answer questions and have an opportunity to present your request.  If you are unable to attend, a representative on your behalf must be present for the Planning Commission to ask questions regarding the property. (City of Newcastle Planning Meeting occurs on the last Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted).

Step 3: Once the above information has been submitted and steps 1 & 2 are followed, the City of Newcastle Planning & Community Development Department will present Planning Commission and staff’s recommendation to the City of Newcastle City Council at which time the City Council will vote on a final decision. The property owner or representative must be present at the City of Newcastle City Council Meeting. (City of Newcastle City Council Meeting occurs on the second Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted.)

Variance/Special Exception Procedures

In certain instances where a citizen’s request to develop, or use, their property conflicts with or does not conform with current regulations, the City of Newcastle’s Board of Adjustment may grant variances or exceptions to regulations. Application for this process be found HERE. Contact the Planning and Community Department to ensure the request is permissible under state stature and Newcastle section §154.145

The Process

Step 1: Submit the above information to the City of Newcastle Planning Department. The Planning Department will coordinate a meeting date and time with the Board of Adjustment Members once the completed application is received. City Staff will publish the notification in the Newcastle Pacer and notify the surrounding property owners by mail.

Step 2: Attendance is recommended at the City of Newcastle Board of Adjustment Meeting. If you are unable to attend, a representative on your behalf should be present for the members to ask questions regarding the property.