Board recesses variance hearing after failing to reach quorum; hearing moved to Aug. 28 at 2 p.m.

A five-member board presiding over a public hearing recessed the meeting at 3:16 p.m. after it failed to meet the four-member quorum required under its bylaws, the presiding member said.

The board set a continuation of the hearing for Thursday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. and encouraged any applicants who cannot attend to submit written comments to be included in the record. The presiding member initially misspoke about the month, saying “October,” then corrected the date to “August 28” during the same exchange.

The quorums rules require four members for business; the roll call recorded three members present: Ed Norton, Matt Landis and Kevin Brown. Julie, a staff member who conducted the roll call, recorded the attendance and the presiding member announced the recess rather than adjourning the meeting to avoid rescheduling the entire agenda.

An applicant who identified themselves as attending from Cotopaxi confirmed they were present to testify on the variance. The applicant said they were not under an immediate timeline with their contractor. The presiding member said the board has encountered similar timing concerns in the past and noted that enforcement timing depends on when the board can next meet to consider the variance.

There were no formal votes or motions on the variance because the board lacked a quorum. The presiding member recommended the board consider appointing an alternate or two to reduce future quorum risk and suggested potential names including Dan Bridal or Commissioner Tim Paine, should they be available.

The meeting will reconvene at the scheduled continuation if at least four members can attend; if the board cannot assemble a quorum on Aug. 28, the presiding member said the board will pursue an alternate plan (referred to in the record as “plan C”).