Pending Rochester zoning decision highlights question about council's role City's Ethical Practices Board continues discussion of when council members can voice early opinions regarding development requests and when its best to stay mum. 9:15 pm, Apr. 7, 2021 × A zoning change request for a proposed Northeast Rochester apartment complex spurred questions Monday regarding the Rochester City Council’s decision-making role. The question was whether the council members must make a decision based on specific code requirements or could they decide the matter based on personal interpretations of policy. “That seems to be a question that is coming up a lot,” Rochester City Attorney Jason Loos told the city’s Ethical Practices Board on Wednesday.