HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff report - 2011 Orientation
Meeting Date
February 22, 2011
Agenda Item
Workshop 1
Title
Orientation/Review of Planning Commission Procedures and Resources (Workshop)
Submitted By
Deb Jones, Staff
Liaison
Description
Orientation for new commissioners and review for continuing commissioners in preparation for the year’s work.
Background
The Planning Commission
provides formal recommendations to the City Council on certain zoning matters and cases, including amendments to the zoning code, zoning changes, amendments to the Comprehensive Plan,
conditional use permits and other special permits and variances.
The procedures for all of these actions follow a similar pattern: (1) published notice of a public hearing, (2) public
hearing before the Planning Commission, (3) Planning Commission vote on a recommendation, (4) City Council action.
Planning Commissioners use a variety of resources in their official
duties for the City. These include the Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan and the Falcon Heights Zoning Code (Chapter 113 of the city code), as well as supporting documents and research
materials put together by staff for individual cases.
Budget Impact
None
Attachment(s)
Copy of the Falcon Heights zoning application form
Action(s) Requested
None.
Staff
will conduct a brief review/training for commissioners on public hearing procedures and give a general overview of the zoning code and comprehensive plan. An update will be given on
recent court actions that have impacted cities’ ability to grant variance. Actions of the previous year will also be reviewed.
It is recommended that commissioners bring their copies
(paper or electronic) of the zoning chapter and the comprehensive plan for reference during the workshop. Commissioners may alse wish to re-read documents from public hearing meetings
in 2010 to refresh their memories of the work done last year.