Erie Planning Commission Meeting: I-25 Gateway South Item Continued to May 7, 2025 – April 4, 2025

The Erie Planning Commission met on April 4, 2025, at 6:32 PM in the Council Chambers at 645 Holbrook Street. The meeting was called to order by Chair Burns, and a quorum was present with six commissioners (Commissioners Booth, Sawusch, Braudes, Baham, Vice Chair Hemphill, and Chair Burns). Commissioner Dreckman was absent excused. The main agenda item was a public hearing for the I-25 Gateway South Planned Development – Development Plan (PD-DP), but the hearing was continued to May 7, 2025, due to missing application materials. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Braudes moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Booth. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote (6-0).
• Approval of Minutes (March 19, 2025): Vice Chair Hemphill moved to amend the March 19, 2025, meeting minutes by relocating a vote on Commissioner Dreckman’s extended excused absence from Section VIII (Commissioner Reports) to Section VI (General Business). The motion, seconded by Commissioner Braudes, passed unanimously (6-0). The minutes were then approved as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered. Two virtual attendees were in the waiting room but did not raise their hands to speak.

Discussion Items

• I-25 Gateway South Planned Development – Development Plan (PD-DP) – Continuation: Chair Burns opened the public hearing at 6:36 PM for Agenda Item 25-184, a resolution recommending Town Council approval of the I-25 Gateway South PD-DP. Vice Chair Hemphill noted that the commission had learned the agenda packet was missing the application materials necessary for a proper public hearing. Town Attorney Kunal Parikh recommended continuing the hearing to a date certain to preserve public notice and ensure a complete record, as an incomplete record could create liability and violate open meetings law. After discussion, Vice Chair Hemphill moved to continue the item to the regular May 7, 2025, Planning Commission meeting (the next scheduled meeting after April 16, 2025, was deemed impractical due to staff availability). The motion, seconded by Commissioner Booth, passed unanimously (6-0). Chair Burns closed the public hearing at 6:39 PM.

Commissioner Reports and Discussion Items

• Commissioner Baham asked for clarification on the legal reasoning for the continuation; Town Attorney Parikh explained the missing application created an incomplete record and notice issues. Commissioner Baham noted that the reference to “council” in the explanation was to the town’s legal counsel, not the Town Council.
• Commissioner Sawusch introduced himself as a new Planning Commission member.
• Commissioner Booth welcomed Commissioner Sawusch, congratulated Chair Burns on presenting the commission’s bi-annual report to Town Council, and noted the next meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2025.
• Vice Chair Hemphill discussed the quorum situation due to Commissioner Dreckman’s extended leave of absence (quorum is three of six active commissioners per code) and expressed appreciation for staff’s efforts to adjust to the agenda change.

Key Outcomes

• Continuation of I-25 Gateway South PD-DP: The public hearing was continued to May 7, 2025, the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting, to allow for submission of the missing application materials. The vote was unanimous (6-0).
• Adjournment: Commissioner Booth moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Baham, and the meeting ended at 6:46 PM.