Planning Commission re‑elects Feather as chair, Lockhart as vice chair; adopts bylaws and remote participation policy

The City of Fairfax Planning Commission on Jan. 12 re‑elected Mr. Feather as chair and selected Kirsten Lockhart as vice chair in voice votes taken early in the meeting.

The commission carried routine business by unanimous voice vote: adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of the Dec. 8, 2025 meeting minutes and reappointment of Mr. Rice as the Planning Commission representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Chair Feather agreed to continue as the commission’s representative to the Board of Architecture Review.

Staff presented the required biennial bylaws review; staff noted the bylaws require a review every two years and that the most recent changes (2022) addressed remote participation in light of state code updates. Commissioners raised one technical clarification request about whether the commission’s remit to review “streets” includes private streets; staff agreed to consult the city attorney and bring back a clarification if needed. On a motion made by a commissioner and seconded, the Planning Commission adopted the bylaws as provided in the staff memorandum.

The commission then reviewed and adopted the required annual remote participation policy. Staff said changes to state law in 2024 require boards and commissions to review and reaffirm remote participation policies each year when the board plans to continue using remote participation in conformance with state code. Commissioners voted to adopt the policy as provided; the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting recessed into a work session on the city’s FY2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program after these administrative items.