Planning staff told the Reynoldsburg Planning and Zoning Board on June 18 that each board member has been given an iPad and that the department plans to stop providing paper meeting packets at the July 31 meeting unless members specifically request them. Staff said paper submission requirements for applicants will not change immediately; the department will continue to require physical record copies while evaluating the electronic workflow during July and August.

Staff described a phased approach: provide paper at the July 17 meeting, not provide paper at the July 31 meeting unless requested, run both July and August meetings under the new packet approach, and if those meetings proceed smoothly, reduce the number of paper submission copies required from applicants going forward. “Our intent would be not to provide you folks with paper at the July 31 meeting, unless you reach out to us separately, which you're welcome to do,” staff said.

Staff said the change aims to save meeting time and to ease applicants’ burden from producing many paper copies for submission. The department will keep record copies and a small number of paper sets available as needed and asked members to raise any concerns in advance so staff can provide accommodations.