(December 16, 2004, initial post) -- The Planning Commisison voted 6-0 today (Dec. 16) to continue (defer to a subsequent meeting) a proposal advanced by city staff following a City Council directive (sparked by Councilmembers Patrick O'Donnell and Bonnie Lowenthal) to address so-called "bedroom splitting" with Zoning Ordinance amendments regarding parking requirements for expansion and alteration of residential uses with nonconforming parking,

Some opponents of the bedroom splitting practice -- allowed under LB current law -- have dubbed it "Crackerbox II," a reference to a 1980's City Hall policy that brought a large number of high density apartments into some LB neighborhoods.

At today's Planning Commission meeting, some advocates with contrary views on the Zoning Ordinance amendments indicated they'd been given little or no opponunity to provide their input in connection with the report submitted to Planning Commissioners by city staff.

The Planning Commission granted a continuance and directed city staff to meet with those opposed to the parking requirements, after which the item will return to the Planning Commission for further consideration.