Planning and Zoning approves subdivision ordinance revisions and sends draft to town council

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve changes to subdivision- and land-use-related code and will send the revised draft to the town council for public hearing and attorney review. The commission’s motion, made by the Chair and seconded by a fellow commissioner, covered three specific amendments to the draft ordinance.

The most substantive additions approved were: a concise definition for the “concept/plan” to be written and included in the draft; insertion of a sentence in section 10-9-8(b) that "an appointee shall have prior experience with planning and zoning issues" to guide mayoral appointments to administrative positions; and an expansion of the appeals group’s powers in section 10-4-2(g) to expressly hear and decide appeals arising from subdivision decisions applying to the town’s land-use title. Chair said the wording for the experience requirement should help the town council “do their due diligence and try to find some ways qualified" appointees.

Commissioners agreed they would draft the definition by referencing language used by other municipalities or the state code rather than creating new text in the meeting. One commissioner suggested the draft language be included in the packet the town council receives so the public can view the ordinance in its final form before the council’s public hearing.

Members reviewed which chapters were affected (chapters 2 and 4 were modified and chapter 9 was replaced with the new text) and noted that items without public comment remained unchanged. The commission’s procedure is to approve the planning-and-zoning draft with the stated revisions, forward that version to the town council, and have the council hold its public hearing; the council may then send the draft to the town attorney for legal review.

During debate commissioners raised operational concerns including limited quorum at times and the need to recruit and train additional planning-and-zoning members so the commission retains experienced membership. The meeting record includes a comment that the appeals body has not been active and that appointments to it have lagged (see related comments from commissioners).

The motion to approve the ordinance with the three changes passed by voice vote; the transcript records ayes but does not provide an exact roll-call tally. The commission adjourned after completing the vote and discussion. The revised draft will be posted for public review and then considered at an upcoming town council public hearing.