12.7.22 PB Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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41 DRAFT 164 Cy Stober: My only concern is I would like to have leeway to have a recording or to have staff go to observe. The 165 concern from Planning staff and the reason that Planning staff often don't present at NIMs is that our opportunity to 166 provide findings of fact is this meeting. When we present at a Neighborhood Information Meeting, it gives the 167 appearance that we are representing the project which is not our role. Our role is to find the facts, disclose them to the 168 appointed and elected officials and the public at open meetings. Neighborhood Information Meetings are a courtesy 169 extended through our ordinance and through many ordinances, including most of our neighbors and most of our 170 municipalities, but not all of them, and the responsibility for leading that discussion is appropriately the applicant or the 171 developer. Having Planning staff also has the effect of chilling the opportunity for a robust and productive discussion 172 between the applicant and concerned neighbors to find solutions to their concerns. If we are always there saying no, no, 173 no,you can't do that it stifles some creativity that may result from a discussion between the applicant and those who are 174 most affected by what they are proposing to do. Those are the concerns that we have,the Planning staff. I hear your 175 concern about verifying the proceeding of the NIM. I think that we can come up with some basic very simple language to 176 address that. 177 178 Randy Marshall: I completely agree with the notion that the applicant needs to defend his own project and the Planning 179 staff doesn't need to be there defending the applicant's project because I think that puts the focus,as you've said, on the 180 Planning staff and not on the applicant where it needs to be.That being said, I concur that there needs to be some 181 verification as to what happened at those Neighborhood Meetings either recording and/or a staff person present who 182 could answer questions if need be is just wise. If we could reword that to include it in this text amendment, I think that 183 would be preferable. 184 185 Cy Stober: If there are other concerns, I am happy to address them otherwise I would request a vote to continue that to 186 the next meeting to address those concerns stated tonight. 187 188 Beth Bronson:And prior to the Planning Board meeting being held. 189 190 Cy Stober: We'll address that text change as well. 191 192 MOTION BY Beth Bronson to continue this text amendment. Seconded by Statler Gilfillen. 193 MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY