Title
Potential Code Amendment Regarding Rezone Hearing Body
Recommended Action
Planning Commission Recommendation:
Move to direct staff to prepare an ordinance amending the Development Code to provide that the Planning Commission, instead of the Hearing Examiner, will hold public hearings related to site-specific rezone applications. (Option 3)
Note: City staff did not provide a recommendation when this issue was considered by the Planning Commission.
Recommended Action
Land use and Environment Committee Recommendation:
Move to retain existing Development Code provision so that the Hearing Examiner continues to hold public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding site-specific rezone applications; and direct staff to report to the Land Use and Environment Committee in 2016 regarding the experience with this approach. (Option 2)
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to retain existing Development Code provision so that the Hearing Examiner holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding site specific rezone applications and direct City staff to prepare an ordinance amending the Code to remove ambiguities as described below with regard to that process.(Option 1)
Report
Issue:
Whether Olympia's Hearing Examiner or the Planning Commission should hold public hearings before making a recommendation to the City Council regarding proposed changes in the land use zoning of individual properties.
Staff Contact:
Todd Stamm, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development Department, 360.753.8597
Presenter:
Todd Stamm, Principal Planner
Background and Analysis:
During the recent update of the Comprehensive Plan, some members of the public suggested that if the Plan were to allow for more rezone applications, the City's Development Code should be amended to provide that rezone hearings would be held by the Planning Commission instead of the Hearing Examiner. On September 23, 201...
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