Watertown planning commission receives orientation on public‑hearing procedures; agrees to draft bylaws

The City of Watertown Planning Commission on Jan. 23, 2025, held an orientation session led by Brian McGinnis, district 3 community development specialist, that reviewed public‑hearing procedure, ex parte communications, findings of fact and other meeting practices. Commissioners agreed to develop a set of formal bylaws and staff outlined a timetable for an upcoming comprehensive land‑use amendment.

McGinnis told commissioners that public perception matters nearly as much as actual impartiality, saying, "perception is almost the same as reality." He reviewed standard practices for public hearings: review meeting packets in advance, open and close the public hearing on the record, base decisions on facts and the city’s ordinances, and state findings of fact when required (for example, when voting on variances). He urged commissioners to avoid one‑on‑one,…