Laserfiche WebLink
appreciates staff requesting that applicants include pictures and photo simulations to give the <br />Commissioners a better visual of the project. <br />Commissioner O'Connor commented that he is pleased that staff sets the right expectations <br />for applicants, not letting them off easy in the beginning so by the time they get to Planning <br />Commission, they know what the Commission expects. <br />Commissioner Brown commented that he agrees that the workshops are a great idea, however <br />much of the time the applicants do not make the changes suggested and come back to the <br />Commission with the same design. <br />Chair Allen agreed that workshops allow the applicant and Commissioner to discuss options <br />and ideas before heavy investment is put into a final design. She also stated that having <br />visuals of alternative designs is helpful. <br />Commissioner Ritter agreed with the other Commissioners on the importance of the <br />workshops and suggested that the City get a more streamlined process for determining what is <br />allowable as far as the Zoning Code is concerned. <br />Mr. Beaudin replied that the City needs to complete a good baseline Zoning Code and that <br />having specific design principles embedded in City policy will help give clarity. <br />Commissioner Balch stated that there is a lot of inconsistency in the City's policy documents. <br />Mr. Williams replied that Planning policy documents are `living documents' and go through <br />changes, edits, and discrepancies in interpretation so they must be updated occasionally. <br />Chair Allen mentioned that she appreciates the Commission looking strategically at certain <br />streets or areas when receiving initial development projects and consider the implications for <br />future developments in the area. She would like to see staff and Commissioners viewing the <br />initial project as a model for the future of the area. <br />Mr. Beaudin commented that due to State-wide legislative proposals the City is losing local <br />discretion. Therefore, it is very important that we put our expectations (numerical and <br />objective) in writing. <br />THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. <br />Chair Allen asked and confirmed there were no other speakers. <br />THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. <br />7. MATTERS INITIATED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS <br />None <br />Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5 January 23, 2019 <br />