HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Planning and Economic Development Committee - 01/23/1995 KENT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting
January 23, 1995
The special meeting of the Kent Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Kent Morrill
at 8:00 p.m. on January 23, 1995 in Kent City Hall, Chambers West.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kent Morrill, Chair
Gwen Dahle
Kenneth Dozier
Connie Epperly
Edward Heineman, Jr.
Robert MacIsaac
Russ Stringham
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Janette Nuss
PLANNING STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
James Harris, Planning Director
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager
NanSea Potts, Administrative Secretary
OTHER CITY STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Roger Lubovich, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 12,1994 MINUTES
The minutes of the December 12, 1994 meeting were tabled until next meeting.
ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
Fred Satterstrom, Planning Manager said only agenda items could be heard at special meetings,
however, other items could be discussed by the Commission. He said no action could be taken
on added agenda items.
Commissioner Dozier asked to discuss proposed amendments to the land use policies concerning
property rights of the Draft Kent Comprehensive Plan. Chair Morrill said the purpose of
tonight's meeting was to discuss future rules and procedures the Commission will follow.
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Discussions followed regarding why the special meeting was called. Commissioner Stringham
said the formal request did concern the comprehensive plan, specifically an improper vote at the
December 12, 1994 meeting which sent forth the comp plan for consideration and adoption to
the City Council.
Chair Morrill restated the events concerning the motion made by Commissioner Ward, and
debated Roberts Rules of Order with several commissioners.
Roger Lubovich, City Attorney stated legal aspects of the Commission's actions, saying since
the last meeting was adjourned without voicing procedural violations to the motion, the
commission waived their right to withdraw it's recommendation.
Jim Harris, Planning Director, said per RCW 35 A, the City Council cannot give the
Comprehensive Plan back to the Planning Commission for further deliberation. Mr. Harris said
the Council has started deliberations, by planning workshops, tours, and has scheduled a public
hearing for February 7, 1995.
Commissioner Epperly said she felt the commissioners had remaining recommendations they
wished to be considered in the Comp Plan. Discussions followed concerning the allowance of
additional input by the Commissioners at the public hearing. Mr. Harris said the Council has
already said the Council will remand the Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Committee for
deliberation at the February 7th City Council meeting.
Several discussions continued regarding the Commissions breach of Roberts Rules, and how they
can avoid future situations. Mr. Lubovich emphasized that the rules are a guideline for
procedure, and the focus of the action should not be diminished by them. He also explained the
role of the Planning Commission as the body that makes recommendations to the Council.
Commissioner Dahle suggested a minority report be submitted to the Council.
Mr. Harris said the Comprehensive Plan is out of the Commission's hands, and that the
Commissions efforts are now needed for the Jones/Hobbs annexation zoning and Adult Use
zoning.
Commissioner MacIsaac questioned the timing of the special meeting, stating his displeasure
with the procedure of cancellation for the January 9th meeting. Discussions followed regarding
the procedure of future meeting cancellations and closer adherence to Roberts Rules.
Commissioner Dahle asked who was responsible for calling a meeting of the Planning
Commission in the event the first meeting of the month is not a workshop. Chair Morrill, with
assistance from Mr. Lubovich said either staff, three or more members of the Planning
Commission or the Chair could request the meeting. Also, he said a cancellation of a meeting
can be initiated by the Chair. Mr. Harris said workshop meetings were generally cancelled
when staff informs the Chair that there is no workshop agenda.
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Commissioner Dahle asked the Planning Commission By-Laws be revisited, previously discussed
last summer. Chair Morrill agreed.
Commissioner Stringham asked for a point of clarification regarding the Planning Commission's
ability to schedule a meeting to address comprehensive plan issues to be forwarded to the City
Council. Chair Morrill responded that the Planning Commission can do anything they wanted.
Mr. Harris stated the Planning Commission should consider staff constraints to handle the extra
work required to continue the comprehensive plan deliberations, and that he did not wish to
create undue stress and grief on this issue. Mr. Harris outlined the process of the deliberations
and reiterated that the Plan was in the Council's hands now.
It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn the special meeting. The motion CARRIED
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jam . Harris
R ording Secretary
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