Planning Commission Meeting – February 3, 2021

The Erie Planning Commission met virtually on February 3, 2021, from 6:31 PM to 9:48 PM. All seven commissioners were present. The meeting included legal training, discussion of the bi-annual report to the Board of Trustees, and a staff report. The commission also engaged in a lengthy debate about its authority and future role in town planning.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda – Unanimously approved (7-0).
• Approval of Minutes – Unanimously approved the December 2, 2020 meeting minutes (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered; no members of the public were in the virtual waiting room.

Discussion Items

• Planning Commission Training – Town Attorney Kendra Carberry presented a PowerPoint training covering sources of authority, comprehensive plan vs. zoning, duties/responsibilities, quasi-judicial vs. legislative decisions, due process, public comment protocols, and justifications for decisions. Commissioners asked questions about ex parte contacts, conditions of approval, tabling, and the role of the commission. The training was informational and lasted approximately one hour.
• Bi-Annual Report to Board of Trustees – Chair Zuniga presented a draft of the 2020 annual report, summarizing the commission’s activities. Commissioners discussed the report’s content and agreed to finalize a presentation for the Board of Trustees on February 23, 2021. Commissioner Ames volunteered to draft the presentation. The group also debated 2021 goals, including:
  • Goal 1: Facilitate the comprehensive plan update to reflect current and future community vision.
  • Goal 2: Review and update the role and responsibilities of the Planning Commission to align with regional best practices.
  • Goal 3: Improve planning commissioner professional development through regional engagement, collaboration, and a joint workshop/retreat with the Board of Trustees.
  • Commissioner Witt expressed frustration that the commission’s recommendations are often overridden by the Board of Trustees, arguing for a shift in authority. Commissioner Sawusch advocated for research into other municipalities’ planning commission powers. Chair Zuniga and others emphasized the need to plant seeds for change through the annual report.
• Staff Reports – Planning & Development Manager Deborah Bachelder presented the monthly report (covering Planning, Engineering, GIS, and Building) and noted that it would be shared with the commission each month. She highlighted the division’s accomplishments during COVID-19, including the first phase of the UDC update and handling continued workload volume.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on substantive motions.
• The commission decided to finalize the bi-annual report and presentation by February 10, 2021, for submission to the Board of Trustees.
• Commissioner Ames will draft the presentation slides; the commission will review and approve them before the February 23 meeting.
• The training by Town Attorney Carberry was completed; no follow-up action required.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:48 PM.