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Commission splits on plan to combine Design Review Board and Planning Commission; motion fails
Summary
City staff proposed merging the Design Review Board and Planning Commission to streamline project review; the boards and public split over membership and process changes, and a motion to forward three recommended bullet points to the city manager failed due to absences and opposing votes.
Sebastopol planning staff presented a proposal on Oct. 22 to combine the Design Review Board (DRB) and Planning Commission into a single, expanded body intended to streamline project review and reduce duplicate hearings.
Staff outlined a recommended structure with expanded membership (seven members) including at least one architect, one landscape architect and one allied construction industry member; continuing in‑person plus streamed meetings; and keeping the existing schedule of two meetings per month. The proposal would require a code/ordinance change and ultimately a City Council decision.
DRB and public reaction was mixed. A representative from the DRB said the board generally supports consolidation to shorten project timelines, but recommended changes: keep a five‑member board plus an alternate, require a majority of design professionals on the panel, update the city’s design guidelines to be more objective, and create an ad hoc committee for early, non‑Brown Act preliminary review. In contrast, several public commenters, including Linda (Zoom), opposed consolidation, arguing it could reduce community input and silence neighborhood voices.
Motion and result: A commissioner moved to adopt the three bullet points (membership, in‑person + streaming, two meetings/month) to send to the city manager with the groups’ recommendations; the motion was seconded but failed to carry at roll call because a commissioner was absent and votes were split. Staff said the range of recommendations and the vote will be forwarded to the city manager for inclusion in a report to City Council for a final decision.
Why it matters: Combining the two bodies would change who reviews design and planning decisions and could speed or alter how projects are reviewed and appealed. Supporters said one meeting for both design and planning would let the public give comprehensive feedback in a single hearing; critics warned it risks narrowing representation and losing specialized design expertise.
Next steps: Staff will include the discussion and differing recommendations in a report to the city manager and City Council in early 2025; any change to create a combined body would require an ordinance and public process.
