Multiple agenda items held at applicant request; staff says third hold triggers notification fees and 'good cause' requirement

Planning Department staff told commissioners at the Sept. 2 briefing that several applications were being held at the applicant's request for later Planning Commission hearings. Staff said item 18 was being held by the applicant to the Sept. 16 Planning Commission meeting; item 21 also was held to Sept. 16; and item 22 was being held to an Oct. 7 meeting per the applicant.

Staff said item 22 represents the applicant's third hold and therefore the applicant must show "good cause" to continue to hold without appearing and must pay re-notification fees. Commissioners questioned whether the applicant had been notified; staff said, "We let him know today that the notification fees are gonna be required." Staff also said the applicant had indicated no representative would appear that night and had asked staff to proceed on their behalf.

Why it matters: repeated holds delay public hearings and final decisions; county policy requiring payment and demonstration of good cause for multiple holds ensures applicants either proceed or re-engage with the process.

Details: staff said the applicant for item 22 provided a hold letter to October 7 and was told the third hold requires re-notification fees; staff reported telling the applicant the same day that fees would be required. Commissioners discussed whether the Planning Commission had the discretion to allow holds without finding good cause, and staff said the commission does have discretion but fees and good-cause requirements apply when an application is held multiple times.

No formal determination was made at the briefing beyond noting the holds and advising commissioners that fees and good-cause requirements were communicated to the applicant.