The Prosperity, Livability and Safety Committee voted Dec. 4 to send a proposed development ordinance text amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration in January 2026 that would transfer responsibility for review and final action on special use permits from City Council to the Board of Adjustment.

Michael Harvey, interim planning and development director, told the committee the change would align process with an advisory body experienced in evidentiary hearings and reduce the constraints elected officials face under ex parte communication rules. "It will move responsibility for the special use permit process to the board of adjustment," Harvey said, adding that the draft also updates definitions and language to ensure consistency with state law.

Committee members debated the proposal's history and practical effects. An unidentified committee member asked how often special use permits come before the city; Harvey and staff answered that such requests are uncommon, "one to two a year" in recent years. Harvey also clarified that appeals from a Board of Adjustment decision would go to superior court rather than back to City Council.

One committee member recalled that the city previously moved SUP review away from the Board of Adjustment in 2017 and said returning the responsibility would not be unprecedented. The committee chair, Council member Monica Peters, said the change would allow public hearings before the planning and zoning body and make it easier for residents to engage with the process. "I'm gonna make a motion that we send this to planning and zoning in the January 2026 meeting," Peters said.

The committee seconded the motion and approved it by voice vote; the transcript records the motion passing but does not provide an individual roll-call tally. The Planning and Zoning Commission will review the draft amendment at its January 2026 meeting, where there will be the public notice and evidentiary hearing opportunities required under the ordinance.

The meeting concluded with brief community announcements and adjournment.