Chair backs sending objection to planning commission over corner lot near elementary playground

The chair said the board would pursue an objection to a proposed rezoning of a small corner lot adjacent to the district elementary school, and that the district attorney has drafted a letter the board will review before it is filed with the planning commission.

A committee member said the board missed an earlier planning commission meeting and that the planning commission "is the appropriate place to air concerns" before approaching county commissioners. "I'm a little uncomfortable with us not showing up at the planning commission meeting," the committee member said.

The chair told members she was concerned about future changes if the lot were rezoned to commercial, saying, "I never want to see an above ground, pumped septic on the corner near playground." Members agreed they want the parcel to remain for public or educational use rather than allowing commercial redevelopment that could pose long-term risks near the school.

Board members confirmed the attorney has drafted a letter and agreed to circulate the draft to the full board before it is sent. There was no formal roll-call vote recorded; members expressed consensus that the letter should be sent once the draft is reviewed. One member cautioned about attaching supporting documents to the letter; the chair said she prefers to see the letter first and will contact the attorney to request the draft.

Next steps: the chair will request the attorney's draft, circulate it to board members for comment, and the board expects the attorney to file the objection with the planning commission following that review.