County planning staff presented an initial proposal to consolidate zoning boards and alter membership at the East Consolidated Zoning Board meeting on Dec. 3, and board members raised concerns about representation and community input.

Jay Leipzig, the county planning director, told the board staff has researched previous consolidations and statutory membership requirements and proposed expanding consolidated zoning boards to nine members: three nominees from the 3rd District, three from the 6th District and three appointed by the chair. Leipzig said the planning commission would remain at 12 members and that the revised platting and drainage standards inform the reduced number of applications projected for zoning boards.

Sean Pendley of county planning staff summarized historic and recent data, noting that the East zoning area comprises about 37,527 acres while the West comprises about 69,260 acres, and that applications have remained roughly comparable since the prior consolidations. He said staff intends to bring the proposal and boards’ feedback back to the Board of County Commissioners in January 2026.

Several board members questioned how nominees would be distributed and whether consolidation could "dilute the local voices" for people most affected by zoning decisions. Rod Richardson cautioned that "all zoning is local," and said his primary concern is that residents directly affected by a project could be outweighed on a consolidated board. Multiple members proposed alternatives — including four members from each side with the chair casting a tie-breaking vote, vice chairs from the opposite area, and holding hearings in affected communities to solicit more public input.

Staff clarified that state statute currently requires separate composition rules for planning commissions and zoning boards and that the planning commission makeup would not change under the proposal. Staff also said any final recommendation would follow additional presentations to the West Consolidated Zoning Board and the Planning Commission before returning to the Board of County Commissioners for potential action.

Board members emphasized mitigation requirements for developers — asking that whenever there is documented concern about noise, light or traffic, applicants present mitigation plans as a condition of approval. Several members urged that, if consolidation proceeds, appointment rules should ensure balanced representation so that local concerns are not routinely overruled.

Staff said the boards’ comments would be part of the public record and would inform the January report to the commissioners; staff expects no immediate change until the BOCC reviews the consolidated recommendation.