Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends zoning amendment to add two alternates; adopts alternate‑member policy pending ordinance change
Summary
The North Beach Planning Commission voted to forward a recommendation to amend the zoning ordinance to add two alternates to the planning commission and adopted an alternate-member policy that will take effect when the ordinance is amended; town counsel said alternates cannot be counted until the code is updated.
At its Feb. 26 meeting the North Beach Planning Commission voted to recommend a text amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance to make the commission’s first sentence read: “The planning commission shall consist of 5 members and 2 alternates who shall be qualified voters and/or property owners in the town.” The commission also moved to adopt an alternate‑member policy to take effect once the zoning ordinance is amended.
Alyssa Levin, the town attorney, repeatedly advised that an alternate policy cannot be implemented until the zoning ordinance authorizes alternates; she said the commission can adopt the policy now but it will not create voting authority until the code is changed. "If the ordinance provides for a particular membership of your planning commission and does not provide for an alternate, you cannot have an alternate set because the ordinance doesn't authorize it," Levin said.
Staff and commissioners discussed two paths: (1) amend the ordinance to state "5 members and 2 alternates" or (2) restructure the ordinance to other permitted configurations consistent with state law. Management director Rick (staff) recommended a short text amendment to Article 8, section 103(a) adding two alternates and noted that a joint public hearing with the town council will satisfy notice requirements.
A commissioner moved to forward the recommended text amendment to town council; the motion was seconded and approved by the members present. Commissioners also reviewed procedural language that would allow applicants at the start of a meeting to opt to delay until a full five‑member board is present or proceed with the quorum of three.
What happens next: staff will draft the text amendment for Article 8, section 103(a) and forward it to the town council; the joint public hearing process will follow ordinance procedures, and the alternate‑member policy will go into effect once the zoning ordinance has been formally changed.
