Minutes-09-19-2023-Business Meeting

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34 interpretation. She said that understanding different aspects is more helpful than providing one recommendation. She said there was a member of the public who lost confidence because the staff was involved, and she thinks changing this will help bring more trust into this process. Vice-Chair McKee asked Cy Stober how many years he and his planning staff have in planning experience. Cy Stober said he has 16 years and that combined, his planning staff has 120-150 years. Vice-Chair McKee said he asked this because he relies on the professional planning staff and their recommendations when making decisions. He said he supports continuing to have this recommendation. He said that he does not always agree with them, but he can use their expertise to inform his decisions. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how long this process has been in place. Cy Stober said this was adopted in 2011, and he's unaware of an amendment. He said the UDO was adopted then, but this policy predates it. John Roberts said it was well before 2011. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she values those who have expertise in land use and development, so she likes the idea of receiving the analysis. She said she would like something in addition to the analysis as well and she would like to see the recommendation as well. She said she is in favor it this practice continuing. Chair Bedford referred to page 2 and said she did not realize that the Planning Director made recommendations to amend the UDO. She said that she does not want to change B or C. She said that they need to keep that. She said that D is with the major subdivisions approvals and that should be kept. She said that E is required and is important. She said those fall outside of the petition and they should be kept as is. She said the question then becomes about consistency with plans and she agrees that it creates tension, and it puts staff in a bad spot when the Board overrules staff. Chair Bedford read the following passage: The evaluation of the petition and potential directions include: a) Amendment of the UDO to respond to the petition, and remove the Planning Director's recommendation to the BOCC on Zoning Atlas and UDO text amendments only; b) Amendment of the UDO to remove the Planning Director's recommendation to the BOCC on proposed amendments to all land use documents, as well as major subdivision approvals, as required by Sections 2.3.10, 2.8.9, and 2.15.3; c) Amendment of the UDO to remove the Planning Director's recommendation to both the Planning Board and the BOCC on proposed amendments to land use documents and major subdivision approvals; d) Amendment of the UDO to remove the Planning Director's recommendation to the Planning Board and the BOCC on proposed amendments to land use documents and major subdivision approvals, as well as to the Board of Adjustment on Appeals; or e) Maintenance of the current UDO text, requiring a Planning Director recommendation to the BOCC and Planning Board on proposed amendments to land use documents and major subdivision approvals. Cy Stober said the zoning atlas has been ruled to be an extension of the text of the UDO. He said that the decisions by the Board have been enlightening for his staff and they are assembling resources to better inform recommendations and to give the resources regarding planning consistency. He said that they will better inform the public, the planning board, and the public on those matters. He said there will be a more thorough analysis in the future and that began the day after the Lawrence Road discussion. He said he certainly heard the Board that night. Commissioner Greene said she agrees with Commissioner Hamilton that the analysis is helpful from staff, but a recommendation and ultimate decision is political and should be done by