Good evening, residents of The Hills,
Welcome to this week’s special report from The Hills Observer. On September 18th, 2025, the City Council convened for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. The evening was packed with important updates-ranging from zoning reforms to new technology adoption-as well as fiscal adjustments as we near the close of the current budget year.
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Advances
The highlight of the meeting was the Council’s continued work on the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Citywide Zoning Map, a multi-month initiative. The Council formally approved moving forward with a joint public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 14th at 9:00 a.m. in City Chambers.
Key Features of the Proposed Ordinance:
Establishes six zoning districts: Single Family Residential, Multi-Family, Commercial, Recreational Areas, Open Space, and Community Purpose.
Protects all current land uses (grandfathered in) to avoid disruption for residents.
Introduces a streamlined process: if a project already has POA approval, the City Administrator may issue a Zoning Verification Certificate directly.
Adds clarity on “permissible use,” “conditional use,” and the appeal process for denied applications.
Enforces compliance with potential fines up to $2,000 per day, the maximum allowed under state law.
Discussion Points:
Concerns were raised about allowing conditional residential use in Open Space and Recreational districts, which may conflict with preservation goals.
The current draft does not permit accessory dwelling units (casitas/ADUs) in the future.
The updated draft and zoning map will be published on the City website by the last Friday of September, with a final adoption vote set for the October 12th regular council meeting.
Technological Leap: Super City AI App Approved
Another major decision: the Council approved adoption of the Super City AI app, an innovative chatbot tool that connects directly to the City’s existing website.
What it Offers Residents:
No Cost / Low Burden: The city pays nothing extra; the app simply pulls existing website data.
Transactions Made Simple: Handles payments for park reservations, fundraising, and more.
Anonymous Access: Use all core features without creating an account.
Focused and Secure: No social networking or resident-to-resident messaging—just official city info.
One-Stop Shop: Brings together updates from the City, POA, and Country Club.
The Council emphasized that final approval is contingent on the City Attorney drafting a contract to protect the city’s logo and financial transactions.
Budget and Financial Decisions
End-of-Year Adjustments: The Council aligned budget items with actual expenditures.
FY 2025–2026 Budget: Formal adoption was delayed until September 29th. While balanced with a projected surplus of $882, members noted inconsistencies between appropriation figures (~$1.45 million) and General Fund totals.
Council Vacancy and Appointments
The decision on filling Matt Maretta’s council seat was postponed to a special meeting on September 29th at 2:00 p.m.
The Mayor was formally appointed as the Village Emergency Manager.
Events and Community Notices
Walking Trail: Approved power washing for $9,500 (vs. a competing $19,000 bid).
Hills Fest: Full budget details to be finalized on September 29th; discussion included hats for the event.
National Night Out: Approved for October 7th, 5–7 p.m., featuring a helicopter arrival and drone demo.
Welcome Letter: Draft by Joe M approved for circulation after edits.
Golf Cart Registration: Residents will receive notice requiring stickers for all golf carts. Transport-use stickers will remain free, but golf-use carts must carry insurance and pay a fee.
Wrap-Up
The September 18th meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Key issues—including zoning, budget adoption, and council appointments—will carry into the upcoming September 29th session.
Stay tuned with us at The Hills Observer as we continue to bring clarity, transparency, and timely updates to our community.
-Karthik Naralasetty