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Rowlett planners, commissioners discuss packet timing, staffing and training needs
Summary
At a Sept. 30 joint session, Planning and Zoning commissioners and staff discussed case statistics, packet lead time, limited access to Bluebeam plan-review files, short staffing in community development and training opportunities for commissioners.
Derek Cole, director of community development for the City of Rowlett, briefed the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council on Sept. 30 about the commission’s role, caseload and administrative processes.
Cole said the commission reviewed 54 cases in the current fiscal-year period and that 34 were public hearings: “In total, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and heard, well, reviewed 54 cases. Of that number, approximately 34 of those would be public hearings,” he said. He described which matters are ministerial (plats, replats and similar items) and which are recommendations to council (rezonings, special use permits, major warrants and text amendments).
Commissioners and staff discussed several operational items. Commissioners said packets generally arrive four to five days before hearings and that is usually sufficient, though they asked for earlier access when multiple public hearings are on a single agenda. Several commissioners requested renewed access to Bluebeam project files, which show plans in review; staff said Bluebeam licenses are limited and they will investigate expanding access.
Commissioners also raised concerns about community development staffing levels. One commissioner said staff turnover and shortages can make it difficult to get timely responses to questions; Cole acknowledged the division’s workload and said responsibilities are shared among staff and that turn-around time is affected by recent state law changes to agenda timing.
Council and staff discussed practical steps to improve communications, including providing city-issued email addresses for commissioners to help with records retention. Staff said it will also provide more in-meeting legal support by having the city attorney attend hearings where needed.
On training, council members said the city budgeted funds to send commissioners to statewide and regional planning and zoning training programs; several sessions are planned and staff will share registration information. No formal action was taken at the meeting.
