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Planning Department presents FY2009 work program; commission recommends general‑fund request
Summary
Staff outlined a proposed FY2009 budget and work program centered on growth management, project review and enforcement, communications, and technology; commissioners discussed staffing priorities, commission support and green/LEED coordination, and recommended transmitting the budget request for consideration.
Planning Department staff presented the department's proposed FY2009 work program and budget to the Planning Commission on Feb. 22, identifying four initiatives: a growth management dialogue, improvements to plan/project review and enforcement, better communications and internal coordination, and a technology initiative. The department proposed modest staff increases (net two additional positions in environmental review and other reallocations) and sought roughly $1.8 million in additional general‑fund support to cover non‑salary costs, particularly environmental impact reports and other technical needs.
Staff said the proposal includes reallocating existing FTEs, adding two and a half FTE for review/enforcement, and several communication/administration positions to support process improvements. The department reported a starting deficit of about $1.9 million and identified a mix of fee changes, modest grants and a general fund augmentation as the primary funding strategy.
Public comment came from union representatives and community groups. Lois Scott of Local 21's planners chapter urged stable funding to avoid layoffs and to preserve planning capacity; other commenters urged earlier commissioner engagement in major plan work and questioned fee‑based funding models. Commissioners pressed staff on the role and staffing of commission support (the commission secretary function), contingency plans for a tight general‑fund year, and opportunities to partner with the mayor's office and nonprofits to advance a citywide green/LEED agenda.
Commissioners approved the proposed work program and recommended the department pursue adjustments with the mayor's office and the Board of Supervisors as part of the mayoral budget process.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 1144; topfinish SEG 1353.
