Planning Commission Meeting - February 16, 2022

The Erie Planning Commission met virtually on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 6:31 PM, adjourning at 8:23 PM. The main items included a public hearing on rezoning Coal Creek Park from Old Town Residential (OTR) to Downtown (DT), a study session on preparing for a comprehensive plan update, staff reports, and a discussion about the town’s pause on accepting Comprehensive Plan Amendment applications.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Unanimously approved via roll call (5-0).
• Approval of Minutes (December 15, 2021): Unanimously approved via roll call (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Agenda Item 22-69 (Coal Creek Park Rezoning): Heath Biggs, a resident at the southeast corner of Kattell and Moffat, asked about traffic impacts and setbacks. Staff clarified the rezoning only affects setbacks, not traffic. No other public comments were submitted.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing: Rezoning Coal Creek Park (22-69/Resolution P22-01)

• Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Audem Gonzales presented the proposal to rezone the 5.6-acre Coal Creek Park from OTR to DT. The change is needed to accommodate the park redevelopment project (buildings, fencing, play areas) because OTR requires 20-foot setbacks along Cattell Street, while DT allows zero-foot setbacks. The public engagement was extensive (farmers market, open houses, BOT meetings), so the neighborhood meeting was waived. Letters were sent to adjacent property owners on January 28, 2022; signs posted January 26; newspaper notice published January 26; and the public hearing noticed February 4.
• Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Sawusch asked why DT was chosen over Public Lands/Institutions (PLI). Staff explained PLI would require 25-foot setbacks adjacent to residential, conflicting with the proposed fence and building placement. Sawusch also questioned notification dates and the waiver of the neighborhood meeting; staff confirmed dates and cited substantial prior public outreach as justification.
• Public Comment: Heath Biggs asked about traffic; staff said rezoning does not affect traffic.
• Commissioner Support: Several commissioners expressed support, noting the rezoning makes sense, will add needed parking, and the concept plan was helpful.
• Vote: Motion to approve Resolution P22-01 (recommending BOT approval) passed unanimously (5-0).

Study Session: Comprehensive Plan Prep & Current State of the Plan

• Presentation: Interim Director Paul Glasgow introduced a web-based "comprehensive plan report card" tool to evaluate the current 2003/2005 Comprehensive Plan. The tool asks commissioners (and later other boards) to grade guiding principles and goals (A-F), note relevance, and suggest edits. It aims to gather baseline data for a future consultant-led update.
• Commissioner Feedback:
  • Commissioner Sawusch questioned the grading scale (A-F vs. Likert) and noted the plan is severely outdated (vision from 2001, goals from 1996/1999). He asked how new guiding principles would emerge. Glasgow replied the tool assesses past effectiveness; a separate step will identify missing items (e.g., five top priorities).
  • Commissioner Luthi suggested the tool is useful as a meta-analysis and should be tested by the commission first.
  • Commissioner Ames recommended a two-phase approach to account for upcoming board and commission changes after the election.
  • Commissioner Witt supported the tool and noted timing with board transitions.
  • Chair Zuniga proposed moving forward with development of the full tool while commissioners play with the existing example.
• Next Steps: Staff (Glasgow and Gabby Rae) will complete the full version. The commission will receive a progress update at the March 16 meeting or via email. The March 2 meeting was canceled due to a lack of agenda items.

Staff Reports

• Planning and Development Metrics Tracking Bi-Annual Report: Provided for review; no discussion.
• Planning & Development Monthly Report - January: Provided for review; no discussion.
• Cancellation of March 2 Meeting: Commissioners agreed unanimously to cancel the first March meeting; the next scheduled meeting is March 16, 2022.

Commissioner Reports & Discussion Items

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment Applications: Commissioner Sawusch raised a concern that the town is not accepting Comprehensive Plan Amendment applications. Deborah Bachelder, Planning Manager, confirmed this is true, citing the Town Attorney’s interpretation that the current process does not meet state requirements (the plan is advisory). Staff clarified that land use applications (annexations, rezonings) are not affected; only formal amendments to the comprehensive plan map are paused. Chair Zuniga noted that changes would be aggregated into an annual update. Sawusch expressed concern about lack of a clear path forward and whether this stalls required amendments. Staff indicated the process will be revisited during the comprehensive plan update (expected 18-24 months).
• Other: Chair Zuniga reminded commissioners of Biannual Reports due to BOT on February 22. Commissioner Luthi noted Erie is under an "Accident Alert" due to weather.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (5-0) of Resolution P22-01 recommending rezoning of Coal Creek Park from OTR to DT.
• Consensus to proceed with development of the comprehensive plan report card tool; staff to provide progress update by March 16.
• Decision to cancel the March 2, 2022 Planning Commission meeting.
• Clarification that the town is not currently accepting Comprehensive Plan Amendment applications; staff will assess a new process during the comprehensive plan update.