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373 <br /> Approved 11/01/2017 <br /> 106 Craig Benedict said that Staff could arrange more training. He acknowledged that many people learn in-process. He <br /> 107 noted that the MPD-CZ process has only been reviewed by the Planning Board one other time. The Board, over the <br /> 108 years, learns by experience. Staff will open-up more training opportunities to the whole Board to go over <br /> 109 subdivisions, quasi-judicial hearings and legislative items, and other types of processes. <br /> 110 <br /> 111 Tony Blake commented that the UNC School of Government comments on issues that affect the Planning Board. <br /> 112 While everyone may not agree on the conclusions in the online forums, it provides good discussion. This is a <br /> 113 resource that he would recommend that he has used. <br /> 114 <br /> 115 Randy Marshall asked how many quarterly public hearings are held a year. <br /> 116 <br /> 117 Craig Benedict said that some years there may not even be 4 and sometimes there are only 3 or 4 items on the <br /> 118 agenda. <br /> 119 <br /> 120 Ashley Moncado noted that this year there were only 2 quarterly public hearings (May and September were <br /> 121 cancelled). <br /> 122 <br /> 123 Craig Benedict said that there may be 10-15 items in one year. Staff will not recommend hearing 2 land use items in <br /> 124 a month because they are also trying to keep a schedule open to applicants. He estimates that there will be 8-9 <br /> 125 meetings with the potential for Planning Board-related items. <br /> 126 <br /> 127 Tony Blake said that to know in advance is important. <br /> 128 <br /> 129 Craig Benedict said that Staff sees the challenges with meetings being scheduled close together or at a variety of <br /> 130 locations. The BOCC just approved next year's calendar and Staff will take a look at how meetings are laid out. <br /> 131 <br /> 132 Randy Marshall asked if public hearings could be grouped. <br /> 133 <br /> 134 Craig Benedict said that if the items on the public hearing agenda are simple items, they could be done the same <br /> 135 night. However, if there was a cell tower being considered, Staff worries about being dominating with just Planning's <br /> 136 agenda in consideration of what other departments need to present. Clustering these meetings could be helpful. <br /> 137 BOCC members understand that if they are considering more items more frequently, their review also has to be <br /> 138 timely. <br /> 139 <br /> 140 Tony Blake said that if members of the public come out and there is a line of 200 people to provide input, the meeting <br /> 141 will take a long time. <br /> 142 <br /> 143 Randy Marshall suggested that the first meeting of the month be reserved for bigger items. <br /> 144 <br /> 145 Ashley Moncado said that this could not be guaranteed as dates are set way in advance for applications to be due, <br /> 146 dates important in guiding the applicant's process. <br /> 147 <br /> 148 Craig Benedict said that Staff will try to target 4 meetings a year but that an applicant will still have more opportunities <br /> 149 to present at upcoming meetings, if necessary. He said that Staff will review the 2018 calendar and see if there is a <br /> 150 cadence to meetings, and will provide more feedback on scheduling and how Staff could target major meetings in the <br /> 151 year. <br /> 152 <br /> 153 Randy Marshall asked if Mr. Benedict felt like he got good feedback. <br /> 154 <br /> 155 Craig Benedict said that he did. <br /> 156 <br /> 157 Lydia Wegman said that there is clearly concern from Planning Board members about attendance requirements to <br /> 158 other public meetings and the weight of demands on people serving in a volunteer position on the Planning Board. <br /> 3 <br />