Planning Commission OKs six-month trial to shift DRC start time to 4 p.m. for light agendas

The City of Paso Robles Planning Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to try a six-month experiment changing the Development Review Committee (DRC) start time to 4:00 p.m. for meetings with light agendas, reverting to the traditional 3:30 p.m. start for heavier agendas.

Commissioner Marlowe said the change would make it easier for some members who work out of town to attend. “Going from 3:30 to 4 would just give me that little bit of extra time,” he told the commission, adding the adjustment would help him reach meetings without leaving work early.

Staff cautioned about operational impacts. A staff member noted that the DRC is largely staffed by hourly employees and that meetings extending past 5:00 p.m. can trigger overtime: “DRC is staffed by a lot of our hourly staff members, not our salaried employees,” staff said, warning that later start times could create overtime or scheduling complications.

Commissioner Roden and others raised concerns about future workload, saying agendas are expected to get busier in the new year and that a shorter meeting window could be problematic when many items are scheduled. The commission addressed that by instructing staff to post start times on agendas and to retain flexibility.

Commissioner Veil made the motion, which Commissioner Roden seconded. A roll call showed six affirmative votes and no dissent; the motion passed 6-0. Under the proposal, staff will implement the 4:00 p.m. start for light agendas, leave 3:30 p.m. for heavy agendas, and return to the commission for a review at the end of the six-month trial.

The change is procedural; no ordinance or budget appropriation was adopted. Commissioners asked staff to monitor impacts to hourly staff and to ensure clear public notice when start times differ for specific meetings.