Council codifies 1‑year 'cooling off' for planning commissioners, ratifies Keith Ehlers appointment

Grand Junction — The City Council on Jan. 7 unanimously approved an amendment to the municipal code that clarifies term limits for the Grand Junction Planning Commission and ratified the appointment of Keith Ehlers.

Principal Planner Daniella Costa Stein told the council the proposed text amendment codifies current practice and ‘‘clarifies that after two consecutive terms, a commissioner must be off the commission for at least one year before reappointment.’’ She said the planning commission reviewed the item and forwarded a recommendation of approval by a 6–0 vote.

The ordinance (No. 52 93) was moved by Council Member Ballard and seconded by Council Member Van Dyke. The council took a roll‑call vote; all seven members recorded ‘‘yes,’’ and the motion passed 7–0. The ordinance updates local code language so that eligibility and the cooling‑off period are explicit in the zoning and development code.

Council members asked whether the change would apply to other boards; staff answered the amendment is limited to the planning commission code and that other boards and commissions have their own governing provisions. Council also confirmed the appointee, Keith Ehlers, had been off the commission at least one year, consistent with the clarified rule.

The amendment was described in staff materials as consistent with the review criteria in the Grand Junction zoning and development code. The council ordered final passage and publication in pamphlet form; the ordinance ratified the appointment of Keith Ehlers to the Planning Commission.

Next steps: the city clerk will publish the ordinance as ordered and the appointment will proceed under the terms of the newly codified language.