The Covington City Council approved an ordinance extending interim zoning in the downtown while the final work is being completed on the zoning, development and design for the district.

The council scheduled a public meeting May 11 and approved the measure following the meeting.

Some citizens voiced concern over extending the interim zoning and getting the process completed.

Planning Manager Richard Hart said the council’s action was “to extend the interim period for public hearings.”

If the measure was not approved the interim zoning would have expired June 10.

Councilman Mark Lanza said at the meeting, “anyone involved in government knows it takes a long time. It is frustrating, but the bottom line (is) we need to make the right decision.”

City Manager Derek Matheson said by late summer the new zoning code would be completed. Matheson noted the City Council directed staff to use $50,000 for the zoning work

“It was with the full understanding it would take until summer,” Matheson said. “We all knew it would take longer.”

The city manager said the zoning code will change the current 13 different zones to four – town center, mixed commercial, general commercial and mixed housing and office.

“In the end it will make it much easier for developers to understand,” Matheson said.

The ordinance extends the interim zoning for the area to Oct. 10.