Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Process topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning director Conrad Omidy walks board through UDO, rezonings and public engagement
Summary
Conrad led training on the planning board's statutory role, the comprehensive plan vs. UDO, conditional rezonings and how to evaluate developer proffers and deviations; he emphasized evidence-based comments and clear rationale for recommendations.
Conrad Omidy, the planning director, provided a multi-part training to the Planning Board on the board's role, statutory authority and practical application of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). He cited Chapter 160D as the statutory basis for local zoning processes and said the board should translate "reactions into planning topics" and rely on evidence and adopted policy when making recommendations. "Who do we represent? I'll focus on what we represent. It's the public interest of the entire community, the adopted policy guidance, and the fair and unbiased process," he said.
Conrad explained conditional rezonings (three types), concept-plan illustrations (bubble diagrams) and the purpose of conditions of approval as written promises from applicants. He encouraged staff to seek objective "enhancements" when applicants request deviations and advised the board to ask technical, evidence-based questions and to avoid preference-based reasoning alone. The training closed with staff reminders about streamlined digital permit submittal and the forthcoming comprehensive plan update.
