Parker council moves duties from dormant Board of Adjustment to Planning Commission

Parker Town Council on Jan. 20 approved Ordinance No. 1668 to repeal the town charter’s Board of Adjustment and transfer its appeal and exception-review duties to the Planning Commission.

Council members said the Board of Adjustment has not met for roughly 15 years and that the transfer will let appeals be heard more promptly by a body that meets regularly. “It has not met in the last 15 years,” a council member said during the ordinance presentation, noting the change was placed before voters as Question 2D in a prior special election and was approved by voters.

The ordinance preserves residents’ right to appeal building-permit denials or request zoning exceptions; it does not eliminate appeal rights, according to council discussion. Council members described the move as an efficiency and timeliness change, not a removal of due-process options for residents.

Council discussion focused on clarifying that appeals remain available and on administrative logistics for moving duties to the Planning Commission. The council moved and seconded the ordinance and recorded affirmative responses in the room; the transcript does not provide a roll-call tally.

The ordinance implements a voter-approved charter change (Question 2D) by removing a redundant board and consolidating hearings within the Planning Commission. The transcript does not specify an effective date, any required transitional rules, or subsequent scheduling for the Planning Commission to assume cases.

The council adjourned after the meeting; staff were expected to carry out next steps to administratively transfer responsibilities to the Planning Commission.