Commission hears update on Plan Hamilton mapping; RPA aims for Planning Commission review in September, attorney advises against moratorium extension

Karen Renick of the Regional Planning Agency told the Hamilton County Commission on July 30 that staff are preparing Plan Hamilton materials for a September Planning Commission meeting and had produced a quick-turnaround map showing what policy maps might look like if they followed commissioner district boundaries rather than the existing area-plan boundaries. “We felt that a September planning commission meeting for Plan Hamilton would be more productive,” Renick said, noting staff still need to provide additional information requested by area committees and that notice for the Planning Commission goes out Friday. Chairman Eversall asked whether the planning moratorium should be extended; county legal counsel recommended letting the moratorium end. The attorney said short moratoriums have better legal standing and that the commission’s original short periods were prudent. “My recommendation would be to let it end... I don't think we should extend it any longer than that,” the county attorney said. Commissioners raised concerns about unincorporated-area representation on the Plan Hamilton maps and whether commissioners representing unincorporated districts should have clarified footprints; one commissioner said District 11 had no unincorporated-area plan included. Renick explained the requested map change would not rewrite plans but would present place-type policy maps that follow district boundaries for clarity and public understanding. Renick also confirmed staff expect to put Plan Hamilton on the Planning Commission agenda for Sept. 8 and said additional public meetings with interested commissioners or community groups would likely be scheduled before then. Next steps: RPA staff to finalize materials for the Sept. 8 Planning Commission meeting, respond to remaining area committee requests, and work with commissioners on district-focused materials; county counsel recommended allowing the current moratorium to lapse rather than extend it.