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Design review committee faces vacancies; commissioners debate role, quorum and future of committee
Summary
The City of Erie Planning Commission discussed vacancies on its design review committee, candidate criteria, quorum and whether design review functions should remain a separate advisory body or be absorbed into the planning commission pending a broader zoning rewrite.
Planning staff told the commission three seats on the city’s design review committee are currently open or soon to be vacant, prompting discussion about how to fill positions and whether the committee’s advisory responsibilities remain appropriate.
Jacqueline Spry, director of the planning department, said members Shelley Bueller and Deb Smith have termed out (Bueller resigned) and Dan Dahlkemper has indicated he will finish his term but would like someone new to fill the seat. Spry said the planning commission appoints the committee and that the ordinance currently specifies professional criteria for membership, including architects and other design professionals.
Commissioners and staff debated recruitment challenges and the committee’s role. One commissioner noted that requiring licensed architects or landscape architects narrows the applicant pool—“there’s 20 of us practicing in the county right now, I think only 8 or 10 of us live in the city,” a participant said—and that some specified professionals are near retirement. Spry and the solicitor, Jason Chek, said changes to membership criteria would require an ordinance amendment and careful legal review. Chek described the committee as an advisory body with specific criteria set by ordinance.
Some commissioners questioned whether the design review function should remain separate, noting the committee rarely meets when no applications are pending: staff said there had been no design review submissions for about two years but that three applications were expected by September 3. Proponents of keeping the committee said it provides expertise and an advisory check for aesthetic review—especially for the waterfront conditional use overlay—while others suggested the planning commission could assume responsibilities during the pending broader zoning/SALDO rewrite.
Quorum and near‑term administration: staff confirmed the design review committee requires three members for quorum; Spry said she has quorum for the next meeting but acknowledged recruiting qualified volunteers under the current ordinance may take time. Staff offered to research how other municipalities handle design review committees and to report back at a future meeting.
