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Staff previews new floodplain rules, hearings‑officer proposal and subdivision activity
Summary
City staff told the Planning Commission that new federal and state floodplain requirements could come before the commission in May, proposed using a contracted hearings officer to speed land‑use decisions, and reported movement on several subdivision and building‑permit matters.
City staff updated the Planning Commission March 6 on several procedural and project items, including upcoming floodplain rule changes, a proposal to use a hearings officer for land‑use decisions and recent movement on subdivisions and building permits.
A staff member from the Department of Community Development said federal and state floodplain requirements are driving local code changes that the city hopes to present to the planning commission in May, then forward to city council for adoption. Staff characterized the changes as largely required by outside agencies, leaving limited local discretion.
Staff also described a proposal to contract with a hearings officer — a land‑use attorney who would hear variances and conditional‑use permit matters — to streamline decision timelines. Staff said Wasco County uses a hearings officer and that a contract model would be as‑needed and paid per assignment. The proposal could include reducing Planning Commission regular meetings from two per month to one to reflect caseload and to coordinate with the hearings officer process.
On development activity, staff said they have the subdivision staff report prepared and will issue the subdivision decision once the variance appeal period concludes. Staff reported another 25‑unit subdivision application in review on the west side of town, recent civil‑plan submissions for a previously approved subdivision near Veterans Park, and that the Basalt Commons building permit application had been received and is under review.
Staff also discussed current recruitment and hiring: several city positions are open and interviews are underway, including for an economic development officer and a secretary in the planning office.
Ending: Staff asked the commission to expect a May discussion on proposed floodplain code updates and a future discussion on the hearings‑officer proposal and any related code amendments.
