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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.20190702 Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission July 2, 2019 Chairperson McKnight called the meeting to order at 4:29 PM. Commissioners in attendance: Spencer McKnight, Teraissa McGovern, Jimmy Marcus, Don Love, Ruth Carver, Brittanie Rockhill Absent: Rally Dupps, Ryan Walterscheid, Scott Marcoux Staff present: Jeannine Stickle, Records Manager Andrea Bryan, Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Phelan, Deputy Planning Director STAFF COMMENTS None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS None. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. McGovern motioned to approve the minutes from June 4th, 2019. Mr. Love seconded. All in favor, motion carried. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. PUBLIC HEARING None. OTHER BUSINESS Code of Conduct Ms. Bryan stated that it was brought to her attention at a recent meeting that Planning and Zoning would like to adopt a more formal decorum policy to serve as a guideline and notice to the public about what is expected as far as conduct during public meetings and public hearings. She drafted a resolution adopting a code of conduct regarding citizen comments during Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. It is intended to guide people as to the rules that pertain to matters not on the agenda as well as matters on the agenda and are public hearings versus matters that are on the agenda that are not public hearings. There is a sentence in the document that states that it is within the residing officer’s discretion to allow or disallow public comment during agenda items that are not public hearings. This is a combination of policies adopted by Aspen City Council, APCHA, and the Town of New Castle. She asked the commissioners if they had any questions. Mr. McKnight stated that the policy looks great and will be beneficial to have. He asked the reason that the policy states that citizens’ comments should be directed to the commission and not to individual members of the public or applicant. Ms. Bryan stated that there are times when members of the public pose hypothetical questions that could be viewed as questions to the applicant or the board as a whole. That section is trying to alleviate personal attacks or comments directed to an individual. Ms. Phelan stated that there are general tricks that the Chair can bring into the hearing. If someone does give a statement and a question, the Chair could say something like “what I think I heard is a statement and a question. And the question we, as a board, can ask the applicant at the end.” That will help break up the comment and manage the meeting. Ms. Carver stated that she has only seen one issue of bad conduct in her time on Planning and Zoning and believes that Ms. McGovern handled it perfectly. She asked if it would be possible to extend citizens’ time at the discretion of the chair. She is concerned that three minutes is not enough time. Ms. Bryan stated that she sees three minutes as the general standard adopted by a lot of other boards and commissions. The general reason is that discussions do need to stay focused in order for the Commission to get their business done. That being said, it’s up to the Commission. There is discretion built into the rules. At a meeting with a full room, five minutes of public comment per person will make for a very long meeting. Mr. Love stated that he has seen a lot of communities where the rule is two minutes. Ms. Bryan stated that there will be people who will abuse it, and that’s why it’s important that the Commission have the policy be posted so that he public can access it. She proposed that it be included in the meeting packets. Mr. McKnight stated that three minutes is good. If people need to formulate their thoughts, the commission can take it as a case-by-case scenario. Ms. Carver stated that, if there is a crowd, the Commission should talk to them before they get started. Mr. McKnight stated that Ms. Phelan usually does a great job with that. Ms. Bryan stated that people will now know to expect three minutes going in. Ms. McGovern motioned to approve Resolution 9. Ms. Rockhill seconded. Commissioner vote. Resolution passed unanimously. ADJOURN Ms. Carver motioned to adjourn the meeting at 4:39 PM. Ms. McGovern seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Jeannine Stickle Records Manager