PC 01/27/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

would help the economic issue noted by the Economic Developme Committee. He would also encourage procuring professionals who would not be affected y the conflict of interest issue. He felt it was good to have more than one opinion on an ap lication, rather than just have staff handle it. mE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CWSED. Commissioner Finch asked Mr. Swift if staff would save a lot of ti e by not having a Design Review Board. Mr. Swift indicated that a good amount of 'me would be saved by staff if they did not have a Design Review Board; first, by not havi g to prepare staff reports, and secondly, by not having meetings or work sessions. noted that much time was saved when the approval of signage was delegated to the staff. Most time is saved on small projects; large projects would not save a great deal of time b not having a Design Review Board. Commissioner Finch indicated that he did not think there was any nomic value in disbanding the Board. Mr. Swift stated that he did not attend any f the Economic Development Committee's meetings so he could not speak to that is ue. Commissioner Mahern expressed concern that if the Design Review Board is disbanded that it would simply take the Planning Commission more time to perfo those duties, along with the normal duties of the Planning Commission. Chairman Hovingh felt that it was good to have design professional look at applications to counter or balance the opinion of staff and the City architect. The unanimous feeling of the Planning Commission was that there i no economIC Issue or value in eliminating the Design Review Board, but that the value of the Board's decisions, coupled with the decisions of the Planning Commission plus staff's xpertise, made for a much better planned application. They also agreed that the real issu was the conflict of interest for the design professionals on the Board, but that the probl m could be solved without too much trouble. Further discussion ensued as to how the issue should be handled. Commissioner Wright suggested that the City actively pursue adve sing for professionals who would not be affected by the conflict of interest issue, and that list of those people be retained. Chairman Hovingh suggested that City advertising for Design Revie Board members should be more visible and that press coverage should be done. He felt tha the Design Review Board was a layer of protection between the staff and Council. He so thought the persons on the Board should be licensed professionals. Planning Commission Minutes January 27. 1993 Page 11