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City staff proposes cutting planning commission from 21 to 7 and shortening notice periods
Summary
Staff presented a first‑reading ordinance to reduce the planning commission from 21 members to seven (plus two at‑large alternates), consolidate committee work into full commission meetings, shorten certain ENS public notice periods (e.g., subdivision notice from 45 to 30 days), and move hearings to the council chambers to improve accessibility and efficiency.
City planning staff presented a first‑reading ordinance proposing major procedural changes to the city’s planning commission to streamline decision-making and expand accessibility.
Planning Director Yasmin Robinson outlined three main recommendations: reduce the planning commission from 21 members to seven (with two at‑large alternates) and roll subcommittee work into the full commission; modernize public noticing and reduce the subdivision ENS public‑review period from 45 days to 30 days to align with other application types; and make nonlegislative changes including updating bylaws and moving meetings from Room 40 to the council chambers to improve audio‑visual access for the public.
Robinson said existing commissioners would “roll off” their current terms until the city reached a model of one commissioner per ward, which staff projects by 2026. Staff told the council the changes are designed to preserve the amount of public comment while making the process easier for applicants and residents to follow.
Councilmembers thanked staff for the proposal and raised questions about quorum, meeting timelines and comparisons with other cities. The item was taken as a first reading and will return for further consideration.
