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Planning commissioners send rules-of-procedure redline back to staff for clearer language
Summary
After extended debate over removing a public forum and how to phrase formal actions (e.g., 'call a vote'), the Planning Commission unanimously remanded the redlined Rules of Procedure to staff for revision, asking that 'commentary' be struck and action language be simplified before returning to the commission.
The Greer Planning Commission on March 9 voted unanimously to remand proposed redline changes to its Rules of Procedure back to staff for clearer wording and to remove a 'commentary' label that commissioners found potentially confusing.
Staff introduced the redline document and highlighted several proposed changes: removing a general "public forum" from the order of business, specifying an "old business" section for items continued from prior meetings, and clarifying the list of actions the commission may take (recommend approval, continue to a date certain, or remand to staff). The redline also included new phrasing such as "call a vote to recommend approval or denial" that staff said was intended to align the commission’s practice with state legal requirements.
Commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion about motion language and practice, noting that Robert’s Rules generally require affirmative motions and that, under state practice, a failed affirmative motion can be interpreted as a recommendation of denial to council. Several commissioners described the "call a vote" phrasing as verbose and confusing and urged simpler wording. Commissioners also agreed the word "commentary" could be misread as legally binding guidance and asked staff to strike it from the document.
One commissioner moved to remand the redline back to staff with instructions to remove the "commentary" label and to revise the action/motion wording per commission discussion. The motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (Miss Jones, Mr. Toma, Mr. Lavender, Miss Medford, Miss Mafi, Mr. Jones — all yes). Staff said they will return a revised draft for a future meeting, and commissioners indicated they would use the public parliamentary training planned for April 7 as additional context when finalizing the procedures.
Next steps: staff will revise the redlined Rules of Procedure to reflect the commission’s direction (strike "commentary" and simplify action wording) and return the draft for review; staff also noted a Municipal Association parliamentary training scheduled April 7 that commissioners may attend.
