Adoption of the Draft 2016 - 2018 Planning Commission Work Plan

The purpose of this case is to consider adopting the proposed 2016 - 2018 Planning Commission Work Plan.

At the December 2015 Regular Planning Commission Meeting, the Planning Commission directed Staff to prepare a Work Plan to outline desired policy analysis projects and workload needs. The Work Plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission on February 4, 2016, March 4, 2016, and April 7. The Work Plan was also reviewed in Joint Work Session with the City Council on July 12, 2016.

Notification is not required.

The purpose of preparing a work plan for the Planning Commission is to prioritize the requested policy projects to acknowledge the available resources for Staff that supports the Planning Commission, primarily the Community Development Department. As noted by the Planning Commission, this is especially important as the City begins to update its Comprehensive Plan, a process that is completed once every ten (10) years.

The Planning Commission has identified a number of policy topics that it desires to review. Through recent development review and policy discussions, the Planning Commission has identified nearly twenty (20) topics for discussion with varying degrees of time commitment. The Planning Commission acknowledges that not all of these policy topics can be accomplished in one (1) calendar year, and has put together a work plan to accomplish these goals within a three (3) year period, essentially mirroring the framework for the City Council's Strategic Plan.

It is noted that some of the topics are more administrative in nature and brought forward by Staff. Staff feels that it is important to note these projects, regardless of the Planning Commission's level of involvement, to adequately reflect the resources available to the support staff for the Planning Commission.

This is the first time in recent memory that the Planning Commission has prepared a formal work plan, and is a reflection of the increasing level of land use policy analysis within the community. City Code does not require that the Planning Commission prepare a work plan; however, both Staff and the Planning Commission feel that it is important at this time in order to better guide the efforts of the Planning Commission and to ensure alignment with the City Council's Strategic Plan.

Questions Raised by City Council (and Staff Responses)

1. Would the Business Incubator Policy be best delegated to the Economic Development Authority?
   1. This initiative is also found in the EDA Work Plan; however as a lower priority than what the Planning Commission emphasized. Additionally, the Planning Commission would like to address this from a land use policy perspective first, rather than an implementation initiative in which EDA would be identified as the lead.
2. Should the Planning Commission be involved in the Rental Licensing discussion?
   1. The City does not currently have an advisory board that focuses on housing policy issues. The Planning Commission is involved in housing policy, as that is an important component of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission played a key role in the development of the Housing Assistance Policy. In addition, much of the regulatory policy created for housing originates with the Planning Commission. In the course of their work, the Planning Commission appears best suited to be an advisory board to the City Council to advise on housing policy issues, including rental licensing. That being said, it is not required to be part of their Work Plan. It is noted that the Planning Commission will be holding one of the two Public Hearings on this topic in October.  
3. Why is there language about a moratorium for portions of The COR?
   1. Although this was originally suggested by the Planning Commission, it ultimately decided by consensus at the Joint Work Session to remove this language.

This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

The Planning Commission recommends approval of the 2016 Planning Commission Work Plan.

Motion to adopt the 2016 Planning Commission Work Plan.