Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Procedures Schedule topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carefree planning boards vote to move start time to 4 p.m.; set one-week packet deadline
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to begin regular meetings at 4:00 p.m. going forward and approved a one-week deadline for staff to distribute agenda materials; staff said one-week lead time is feasible but depends on applicant submissions.
The Carefree Planning & Zoning Commission voted to change its regular meeting start time to 4:00 p.m. and separately approved a one-week deadline for staff to provide commissioners their agenda packets.
Chair Peter Burns opened discussion noting concerns about meeting end times and packet timing. Commissioners debated potential effects on public participation and commissioners' work schedules. Commissioner Smith and others said daytime or earlier start times had produced good public participation for some work sessions; other commissioners voiced concern that an earlier time could limit some residents’ ability to attend. After discussion, a motion to start meetings at 4:00 p.m. was moved and seconded, the chair called for voice vote and announced the ayes appeared to have it; the motion carried.
On packet timing, commissioners asked staff about what lead time the department could provide. Planning staff said they could generally provide materials about one week before meetings and might have a flexibility of a day or two; staff warned that applicants must meet hard deadlines to be placed on an agenda and that enforcing a stricter submission deadline could result in applicants waiting a month to be scheduled. The commission then moved, seconded and approved a motion setting a one-week deadline for staff to endeavor to provide materials to commissioners. Staff agreed to try to deliver packets one week in advance and to coordinate applicant deadlines accordingly.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved ministerial items by voice vote: the Planning & Zoning meeting minutes of Jan. 13 and the Development Review Board minutes dated Dec. 9, 2024. Those routine approvals were recorded by the chair as carried without a roll-call tally.
The board briefly discussed notifying the public about the new meeting time; one commissioner suggested staff place a notice in the town newsletter and staff noted livestream access remains available for residents who cannot attend in person.
Votes at a glance: motion to start meetings at 4:00 p.m. — moved/seconded and approved by voice vote; motion to set agenda materials deadline to one week — moved/seconded and approved by voice vote; approvals of P&Z minutes (Jan. 13) and DRB minutes (Dec. 9, 2024) — approved by voice votes.
