Minutes 05-12-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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o At conclusion of hearing BOCC could: ➢ Defer a decision to a later BOCC meeting date (items would no longer be listed on the public hearing portion of the later BOCC agenda and the public could make oral comments) ➢ Refer an application back to the Planning Board for further review ➢ Make a decision at the conclusion of the hearing (this would allow the process to move more quickly for items that are not particularly controversial) • Planning Board quorum not required to hold public hearing o Planning Board encouraged to attend public hearings • More opportunities for public comment and earlier in the process • Comment at both Planning Board meeting and formal public hearing • Nearby property owners would receive letter about the Planning Board meeting and signs would be posted on the property • For quasi-judicial matters, Planning Board meeting could be considered a "dry run" for the formal public hearing BOCC Discussion • Should existing process be revised? • If so, how? • When Planning Board's recommendation occurs ➢ Before or after public hearing • Require Planning Board quorum in order to hold public hearing? • Number of public hearings per year ➢ Could be different for legislative vs. quasi-judicial • Closure of public hearings so items would no longer appear on the "Public Hearing" portion of BOCC agendas with no additional comment accepted ➢ Removal of requirement for written comments will be necessary OR change heading on BOCC agendas Commissioner Price said is the option of keeping or removing the planning board from the process at the sole discretion of the BOCC. John Roberts said the Planning Board can be given any authority that the BOCC sees fit. He said currently the Planning Board is primarily an advisory board. He said the BOCC can delegate more or less responsibilities, as it so chooses. He said the BOCC can remove the Planning Board from the Quarterly Public Hearing process. Chair McKee asked if the requirement of having the Planning Board members to be present in a quorum at Quarterly Public Hearings was made during Commissioner Jacobs' tenure. Commissioner Jacobs said this decision predates his tenure. He said when he was Planning Board Chair, 30 years ago, it was a requirement to have a quorum and to make a recommendation after the Public Hearings. Commissioner Price referred to the slide titled Differences from Existing Process, asking if the public would be able to make only oral comments; or would written comments also be allowed. Perdita Holtz said for legislative items, residents can make oral and written comments. She said for legislative items, the State requires that at least one Public Hearing be held. She said there are no constraints on the public's involvement in such meetings. She said restraints on the public's involvement only exist in quasi-judicial matters. She said the current Public