Erie Planning Commission Meeting - November 3, 2021: UDC Amendment Approval and Comp Plan Engagement Discussion
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Erie Planning Commission Meeting - November 3, 2021
The Erie Planning Commission met on November 3, 2021 from 6:32 PM to 7:35 PM via virtual meeting. The commission unanimously approved a resolution recommending the Board of Trustees adopt an ordinance to repeal and reenact multiple chapters of Title 10 (UDC). They also held a study session on public engagement for the Comprehensive Plan update.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Agenda: Motion by Commissioner Witt, seconded by Commissioner Sawusch, passed unanimously (6-0).
- Approval of October 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Sawusch, seconded by Commissioner Luthi, passed unanimously (6-0). Chair Zuniga commended the secretary for capturing the lengthy meeting.
Discussion Items
- 21-476 Continuation of Hearing – UDC Amendment (Resolution P21-21): Planning Manager Deborah Bachelder presented the revised draft of Chapter 7, which retained Section 10.7.21 as requested by the commission at the October 20 meeting. The commission had no further questions. Commissioner Sawusch clarified that the clean version of Chapter 7 (with Planning Commission updates) would move forward. A motion to approve Resolution P21-21 was made by Commissioner Sawusch, seconded by Commissioner Hoback, and passed unanimously (6-0).
- 21-488 Study Session – Comprehensive Plan Public Engagement: Chair Zuniga requested this study session to discuss how to engage the public for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update. She noted that the town recently completed a quantitative survey and wanted to avoid duplication. Commissioners discussed using survey results as a starting point, digging deeper, understanding question interpretation, and learning from other communities. The commission agreed to invite Communications staff (Gabi Rae) to the next meeting to share best practices. A straw poll showed 4 commissioners in favor of adding a study session on November 17 for this topic.
Staff Reports
- Personnel Update: Deborah Bachelder announced that Planning Director Fred Starr has retired; Deputy Town Administrator Melissa Wiley is filling in.
- Email Routing Protocols: Bachelder clarified the proper channels for communications: all inquiries should go to her as staff liaison; clerical/technical errors to Melinda and Bachelder; requests for additional materials to the Chair who will then forward to Bachelder; no direct emails to other staff without going through Bachelder.
- Future Meeting Agendas: Bachelder will share a tentative agenda calendar at each staff report to allow the commission to plan study sessions. For November 17, the oil and gas setback ordinance continuation is scheduled.
- Hybrid Meeting Procedures: Hybrid option is available only for Planning Commission, Board of Trustees, and Board of Adjustment. Commissioners wishing to attend in person must notify the Town Clerk by the Wednesday before the meeting. Quorum required for in-person. Masks required per town policy (cloth/fabric, 2+ layers, no holes). Presentations will be done virtually to avoid technical limitations.
- Attorney Clarifications: Austin Flanagan, Town Attorney, provided two clarifications:
- Board of Trustees Attendance: Unless noticed as a joint session, BOT members attending PC meetings must be treated as general public. In study sessions, the Chair has discretion on public comment.
- Decision-Making Criteria: Discussion on applications must be limited to the approval criteria relevant to that application. Avoid comparing to other developments or discussing town-wide issues not directly related. Vice Chair Fraser summarized that the commission must separate personal opinion and evaluate only whether the application meets the seven listed criteria.
Commissioner Reports and Discussion Items
- Budget Questions: Commissioner Sawusch asked about the proposed move of Engineering from Planning & Development to Public Works. Bachelder explained this is a return to prior structure and does not affect workflow. She also noted a proposed new Long Range Planner position (for comprehensive plan, UDC amendments) and a Housing Program Coordinator (for affordability/inclusionary housing, done cooperatively with other communities).
Key Outcomes
- UDC Amendment: Resolution P21-21 approved unanimously, recommending the BOT adopt the ordinance repealing and reenacting Chapters 2-7, 9, 11 of Title 10 with the retention of Section 10.7.21.
- Study Session Scheduling: Agreed to add a study session on November 17, 2021 for Communications staff to discuss public engagement for the Comprehensive Plan update.
- Hybrid Meeting Commitment: Commissioners interested in attending in person on November 17 must email the Town Clerk by November 10.
- Decision-Making Reminder: The commission will adhere strictly to application-specific criteria in future hearings.
Meeting Transcript
632. Good evening. Welcome to the November third meeting of the Planning Commission. Um calling the meeting to order. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice. Will the Secretary please call roll? Commissioner Ames is absent and excused. Commissioner Witt. Present. Commissioner Luffy. Here. Commissioner Hoback. Commissioner Sawish. Vice Chair Fraser. Chair Zunaga. Here. Thank you. We do have an agenda before us this evening. Does staft have any changes for the agenda? No changes this evening. Okay. Um I did want to point out that I had requested to have the meeting be a hybrid or in-person meeting, but we did get some correspondence from the town that says how they're they're moving forward with um with these meetings, and that later this month we may do an in-person meeting. Um, but I just I just wanted to point that out because there will be probably a change of how we're doing our meetings, but for now we're sticking with Zoom. Um do we have a motion to approve the agenda? We have a motion and a second. Will the secretary please call a roll call vote? Commissioner Witt. Yes. Commissioner Luthy. Yes. Commissioner Hoback. Yes. Commissioner Sawish. Yes. Vice Chair Fraser. Yes. Chair Zunika. Yes. Thank you. That's unanimous. Thank you. This brings us to the approval of the October 20th planning commission meeting minutes. Do we have any changes to that? Or perhaps a motion. We have a motion and a second. Can you call a roll call vote, please?
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