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Applicant no‑show for 410 South High Street spurs debate over when the 90‑day review clock starts
Summary
The applicant for 410 South High Street did not appear and required materials (traffic counts, architectural elevations and height calculations) were missing; commissioners debated whether the statutory 90‑day completeness clock had started and whether the commission can restart it when applicants submit incomplete materials.
The commission heard that the applicant for 410 South High Street did not attend the meeting and that key application materials—traffic data, a building‑height calculation and architectural renderings—were not provided. Staff told commissioners the office determines whether an application is "complete" and that the statutory 90‑day clock typically begins at the first Planning Commission meeting after acceptance of a filing.
Commissioners disagreed about when the clock began and whether the commission has authority to restart or toll the 90‑day period when an applicant fails to supply promised revisions. One commissioner said the office had accepted the application at a prior meeting (May 4), which would start the clock; others argued that because required materials were missing, the application should not have been considered complete and the clock should not have started. Staff reiterated that their office makes the completeness determination but that applicants often ask for extensions when materials are incomplete.
Why it matters: The 90‑day statutory review clock controls timelines for hearings and decisions and can determine when a matter goes to borough council. Commissioners said an incorrect clock start could force votes or rushed decisions; one member said the incomplete submission would incline them to vote "no" if the matter came to a vote without required documentation.
Requested actions and next steps: Commissioners directed staff to contact the applicant and to encourage filing for a formal extension or to submit the missing materials promptly. Several commissioners recommended a formal vote next week to clarify the commission’s position if the applicant does not provide the information; staff said they would track completeness more closely going forward.
Ending: The commission left the item open and asked staff to follow up with the applicant about missing materials and extension requests before scheduling the matter for a vote or recommendation to borough council.
