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Commissioners introduce proposed edits to Planning Commission bylaws; full review to follow
Summary
Commissioner Winter introduced edits to sections I–III of the Planning Commission Bylaws; the Commission reviewed attendance-policy language, agreed to a full review with a later final edit opportunity, and will present proposed changes to City Council after internal review.
At the March 18, 2026 meeting of the City of Hillsdale Planning Commission, commissioners continued a review of their bylaws and agreed to a wider review process before forwarding changes to City Council.
The minutes record that the Commission was generally in favor of attendance-policy edits previously proposed by Chairman Laycock and that Commissioner Winter introduced additional proposed edits to sections I–III. Commissioners agreed to postpone further detailed discussion until the full bylaws review is complete so the group can perform a comprehensive pass and then make final minor edits before referral to Council.
The bylaws text included in the meeting packet and entered into the record spells out key provisions: a seven-member commission appointed under state law with staggered three-year terms; ex officio participation by the City Manager or Mayor or a mayoral appointee (with the proviso that no ex officio member may serve as chair); provisions for nonvoting liaisons (assessing staff, department heads, city attorney); an attendance rule that may trigger removal for three consecutive absences without notice; a requirement that each member complete at least four hours of training per year; detailed conflict-of-interest rules requiring on-the-record declaration and recusal; guidance on ex parte contact and site inspections (site inspections to be conducted by staff with written reports); a prohibition on accepting gifts related to agenda items (including food over $10); and a process for appointing a spokesperson and handling minority reports.
The Commission did not take a final vote on the bylaws at this meeting. The agenda had been amended in the consent portion of the meeting to add the bylaws edits to New Business, and the Commission expects to revisit the edits at a future meeting before any formal recommendation to City Council.
The minutes also record brief related items at the meeting: Zoning Administrator Smith reported that Markethouse has closed, and Commissioner Kniffin briefly raised electronic billboards on Route 99 for future consideration.
