Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher thanked Staff for all of the work that they have done on this project and <br />all the research they have done. <br /> <br />This item was for information only. <br />7. COUNCIL BUSINESS <br />7.01: Introduce Ordinance #25-10 Amending Chapters 2 and 106 Pertaining to Variances <br /> <br />Planning Manager Larson reviewed the Staff report in regard to amendments to Chapter 2 and 106 <br />to the City Code. He shared the Planning Commission's recommendation of denial. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher asked if there are any negatives for the residents if they make this change. <br /> <br />Planning Manager Larson explained that if they made this change, it would only add about two <br />weeks to the current process timeline. He noted that if the Council is to start making these decisions <br />and the applicant then wants to appeal the decision, then this would have to be done through the <br />court system, which will be more expensive for the applicants. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher shared that she does not agree with this change, as it will negatively <br />impact residents if they need to appeal the decision made by the Council. She added that these <br />decisions are currently being made by an appointed body by the Council. She said this practice has <br />worked for the City for years. She noted that everyone on the Planning Commission opposed this <br />as well. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley said he expects that this change would have a very small impact on the <br />current process for residents, as the Planning Commission would still hold the Public Hearing and <br />make its recommendation to the Council. He noted that the Council is elected to make these <br />decisions, and it only makes sense that they should be the ones to grant a variance. He said he does <br />not see this as a change in power, but rather having the right group make the final decisions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Stewart noted that the Planning Commission will still review the project and give <br />a recommendation to the Council. She said the only change will be that the Council will now be <br />the ones making the final decision. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht said he has heard from residents that sometimes the variance process can <br />be lengthy if it needs to go through the application process a second time, if they were <br />misunderstood by the Planning Commission originally. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher stated that she does not think that this would speed up the process, as it <br />will take two additional weeks for residents to get approvals. She added that if this needs to go <br />through the court system for the appeals process, this will also be much longer than the current <br />appeals process. <br /> <br />City Council / November 10, 2025 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br />