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Clermont commissioners seek written guidance on site visits; item to be placed on future agenda
Summary
Commissioners asked the city attorney and staff to prepare written guidance about whether and when planning commissioners may visit properties and surrounding areas; no formal policy was adopted but the chair directed staff to add the issue to a future meeting with materials.
Commissioners at the May 6 Planning and Zoning meeting asked the city attorney and staff to prepare written guidance on whether commissioners may visit project sites and surrounding areas while cases are pending.
Several commissioners said being able to observe sites in person would improve their ability to review applications. Commissioner Neamec said, "I'm gonna be asking about visiting the site, not on top of the grounds. I'm talking about the surrounding areas," and urged a formal discussion. The chair said he wanted the item noticed on a future agenda and asked the city attorney to prepare materials so the commission could consider the legal boundaries.
A member of the public, Charlene Harrison, asked the clerk to provide the cited legal authority in writing by the end of the week. The city attorney told commissioners that guidance exists in case law and code but recommended a formal agenda item and written materials rather than an impromptu discussion. The chair instructed staff to schedule the item on an upcoming meeting with a lighter agenda so the attorney could present prepared language.
No formal policy, rule or vote was adopted at the May 6 meeting. Staff said the next likely step is an agenda item that will include the attorney's memo and any statutes or court decisions the office deems relevant. Commissioners and staff agreed to return the question to the commission for a focused discussion and possible policy action.
