Planning board votes to recommend removal of member for absenteeism

The City of Tavares Planning and Zoning Advisory Board voted to recommend that City Council declare a board seat vacant and fill it following the city's Land Development Regulations after a member missed three consecutive meetings.

Board members cited Section 2.9 of the city's LDRs, which states that a member who fails to attend two of three consecutive meetings without permission may be removed. Lindsey Holt, the city attorney who swore in witnesses earlier in the meeting, advised the board that under the current reading of the LDRs the board may take that action now and that the decision would be transmitted to council to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

Board members said they had received an email indicating the absent member would not attend; staff indicated attempts to contact the member had been made. A motion to remove the member from the board was made and seconded; the board voted in favor by voice. The board requested that staff notify City Council, the city administrator and the absent member about the recommendation and follow the established appointment/notification process.

Minutes and staff said the council will confirm the vacancy and follow the statutory process to appoint a replacement. The board discussed emphasizing that members participate in full meetings and that brief appearances followed by early departures are not sufficient for the commissioner's duties.