Laserfiche WebLink
1 <br />107 <br />SPECIAL COUNCIL /PLANNING <br />& ZONING MEETING <br />February 9, 1987 <br />A meeting of the City Council and Planning and Zoning Board was <br />called to order by Mr. Schumacher at 5:48 P.M., Monday, February <br />9, 1987. <br />Attendees: Councilmembers: Benson, Bisel, Reinert, Marier, Bohjanen <br />P & Z Boardmembers: Averbeck, Nelson, McLean, Cody <br />The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the working relationship <br />of the two boards, how communications can be improved, what problems <br />the P & Z Board is facing, etc. <br />The following issues were discussed: <br />- Council assured P & Z members that their efforts are appreciated, <br />regardless of whether the Council occasionally goes against the <br />P & Z recommendations. Perhaps better communication as to the <br />wishes of each Board would create an overall better working <br />relationship. Many felt that directions coming from Council <br />were not always explained. Suggestions were made to assure <br />that the Council liaison reflect the wishes of the Council, and <br />also that communications could be improved through staff person- <br />nel. <br />- There was concern by P & Z members that the City Planner is on <br />such a tight budget and P & Z feels uncomfortable directing <br />service from the Planner. The consensus of the Council was <br />that the P g Z should keep in mind that planning services are <br />often charged back to applicants, however the budget does allow <br />for planning services to benefit the entire city, such as <br />ordinance updates. Should the P g Z feel ordinance updates, <br />etc. are necessary, the Council should be notified, and within <br />reason there should be no problem with authorizing such planning <br />services. <br />- There was a concern shown that communications between the two <br />Boards could be improved through staff. The fact that the <br />Building Official is the only staff person working between <br />the two groups and he has limited time to spend on P & Z issues <br />was recognized. Many felt that strong staff involvement would <br />solve many problems. <br />P & Z members felt that quite often the "last minute" reviews <br />by the planner or engineer made their task more difficult. Quite <br />often applications are neither complete, nor comprehensive. <br />Although a schedule has been established for P & Z issues, it <br />was felt that the schedule is not adhered to; again staff or <br />the planner could improve on this. <br />- P & Z members felt that the time has come to have an ordinance <br />or at least a policy with regard to landscaping requirements. <br />- P F Z members were in favor of a 7- member Board. <br />Meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M. <br />