Consider Adoption of the Draft 2016 Planning Commission Work Plan (Project No. 16-29)

The purpose of this case is to consider a final recommendation to the City Council regarding the proposed 2016 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. A first draft was reviewed by the Planning Commission on February 4, 2016, and subsequently on March 4, 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.

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

Staff recommends approval of the 2016 Planning Commission Work Plan.

Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2016 Planning Commission Work Plan.