Planning staff told the board that an applicant for a special-use permit submitted updated authorization after the manager of the owning LLC died, and that staff believes the application may proceed to the board for consideration.

"The applicant absolutely has the authority to submit and proceed for the board to determine whether or not it has merit or not. Someone did pass away," Rebecca (planning staff) said, explaining staff had asked the applicant for updated authorization and had received documents from surviving managers that, in staff's view, authorize the application to continue.

Staff said the clarification was provided so the board would not receive mixed messages at the public hearing and noted the board retains the prerogative to evaluate whether the proposal merits approval. A commissioner asked whether residents opposing the application had retained counsel; Rebecca said staff had not been contacted by an attorney but that planning-board members had suggested expert testimony might be needed for some objections.

No final decision was made at the briefing; the item will proceed to the board hearing where members will evaluate the special-use permit on its merits.