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Resident urges 60-day extension for zoning-code public comment; commissioners weigh contract and fee implications
Summary
A Fairview resident asked the planning commission to extend the public comment period on the city's draft zoning code by 60 days; staff said an extension would require a contract amendment with TPUDC and could carry an added cost, and at least one commissioner raised ethical concerns about TPUDC representing private clients.
David Bonham, a Fairview resident and licensed architect, used the citizens' comment period to request a 60-day extension of the public-comment period for the city's proposed zoning code. "I would request that you give more time for public comment on the draft of the new zoning codes," Bonham said, adding that the draft was issued during a busy time of year and had received only six comments so far.
Bonham also criticized earlier submissions to the Board of Zoning Appeals, saying a proposal that included a racetrack, amphitheater and hotel had been inappropriate for a rural area and was defeated by BOZA. "They tried to slide it in as an ancillary recreational use... The racetrack was the development," he said, urging the commission to "slow down" and include citizens on code committees.
At the roundtable, Mayor Anderson asked whether staff could seek an extension. Planning staff (Ethan) replied that an extension would require a contractual amendment with TPUDC and would likely impose a fee on the city. "That would be a contractual amendment that would need to be made to the contract," Ethan said, and commissioners were warned that an extension would not be free.
One commissioner asked to review the TPUDC contract before approving any extension and voiced an ethical concern about a potential conflict of interest. The unidentified commissioner said: "I have a real problem with TPUDC representing a client when they were working for the city to amend the zoning code." Staff noted there will still be opportunities for public comment at the planning commission and at required Board of Commissioners hearings, and that a joint work session with TPUDC is being planned to answer questions.
Staff also reminded the public how to submit comments on the draft zoning code and said the deadline for the next batch of comments is the fourteenth; comments can be submitted online, by mail, email to staff, or in person at the planning and codes department.
Next procedural steps: staff will check the contract implications of any extension, and commissioners said they would consider additional public-hearing options, including a joint planning commission/board work session where TPUDC would be present to answer questions.
