Agenda - Council - 04/12/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5.03: Consider Ordinance #16-04 to Amend City Code Section 2-159 (Duties, Responsibilities, and Objectives) to Incorporate the Principals of the Environmental Policy Board's Statement of Purpose Presentation City Planner Anderson presented the staff report stating the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) developed a Statement of Purpose last year and through that process, the City Council and EPB collaboratively developed various purposes and strategies appropriate for the board. This included involvement in the Comprehensive Plan update process and an active role in review of certain Land Use Applications. The Statement of Purpose also noted that the Board's involvement in reviewing Land Use Applications would be revisited in a year to determine whether this had been effective and added value to the review process. The EPB reviewed their involvement with the review of Land Use Applications at their January meeting and concluded that it did add value to the review process and noted that it had not resulted in the delay of any application or project. The purpose of this case is to consider Ordinance #16-04 that would codify the principals of the EPB's Statement of Purpose in City Code. Staff recommended adoption of Ordinance #16-04 Commission Business Commissioner VanScoy saw the value of the EPB reviewing land use applications with variances within overlay districts. However, he did not see the rationale in this same group reviewing plats and believed this was over monitoring by the government. Community Development Director Gladhill discussed the regulations the EPB has developed and noted one of the most important dealt with tree preservation. For this reason, staff suggested the EPB review plats to ensure the tree preservation policy was working. Chairperson Levine questioned how comments from the EPB would be presented to the Planning Commission. City Planner Anderson reported their comments regarding plats and land use applications would be reflected in minutes and would then be passed along to the Planning Commission by staff. Commissioner Andrusko believed it would benefit the Planning Commissioners to have the EPB minutes in order to make fully informed decisions on plats and land use applications. Commissioner Brauer discussed the issues the Planning Commission has dealt with from recent developments. He valued the EPB's input regarding landscaping, buffers and stormwater management. It was his hope that the Planning Commission could improve its working relationship with the EPB. He fully supported staff's recommendation. Motion by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Andrusko, to recommend that City Council adopt Ordinance #16-04 to Amend City Code Section 2-159 (Duties, Responsibilities, and Objectives) to Incorporate the EPB's role in reviewing certain Land Use Applications and the Comprehensive Plan Update into City Code.