Joe Barry, first assistant corporation counsel, told the council the legal office recommends holding agenda item 32 while it conducts additional legal research. "Our office is recommending that we the council hold number 32. We need to do some further legal research into the options available to the council and the planning commission, and we can advise you, about the results of that research in the beginning of the new year," he said.

Councilors acknowledged the recommendation and agreed to hold the item pending the office's findings. The council did not take a formal vote on the underlying matter during the study session; the action recorded in the meeting was to pause consideration until counsel provides advice.

Next steps: the corporation counsel's office will complete its research and report back to the council at the start of the new year, at which point the council may resume consideration or take further procedural steps.