Planning Commission

Chair Murphy explained that Commissioner Scott originally brought this forward for discussion. During a previous discussion it was determined that some of the items are not applicable because we are too small a venue for some of the items listed.
Commissioner Scott explained that this discussion came up as a result of reviewing some of the materials received from the Certified Community Planner Seminar training sessions. It was one of the addendum items which are a list of "Fourteen Ways to Build a Better Commission" (list available upon request). There are only four items that he felt they needed to review: Items 4, 5, 8 and 11. The other items the Commission is already doing or they are not relevant.
Chair Murphy asked Dale Coulam to address the items that do not apply
Dale Coulam advised that Items 1 and 6 do not apply to Ivins Planning Commission because the bylaws and procedures are required to be codified and located in the City ordinances. Also, there is no separate budget for the Commission. Items 2 and 3, the Commission does a remarkable job in reference to those items by making available reliable information, data and maps, and they refer to and follow the General Plan. Item #11, he cautioned them to be selective before adopting procedures of other jurisdictions. Item #7, the Commission has met periodically in work meetings with the City Council on major issues. Item #9, the Commission and Staff already have open communication but if there is anything that Staff needs to do differently feel free to address it. Item #10, in regards to planning techniques most of the Commissioners have attended some type of Land Use training by the League. Item #12, the Commission Chair already makes a report to the City Council. In reference to the statement in #12 "to explain or sell an action" there was a caution given by the Council not to sell a one sided point of view but to report on what the Commission did. However, if it is a public hearing, a Commissioner may stand up as a citizen and give input and make public comment. Item #13 and #14 the Commission already does those.
Commissioner Scott suggested having an agenda item to annually reexamine what the Commission has been doing and how we are doing it.
Commissioner Loris felt that having an annual review would help new Commissioners. When he became a Commissioner, it was in the middle of the year, and he didn’t know what they had done or where they were as a Commission. The annual check would show a time line where the Commission came from and where the Commission is potentially going. The Commissioners should not just look at what they have done but see where we are trying to take the community and where the community is trying to take us as well.
The Commissioners agreed to have an annual review at the end of the year.
Commissioner Scott stated that Item #5 refers to what the Commissioners want to plan or accomplish in addition to the requests from the City Council or applications that come to the Commission to review or approve. At this time he wasn’t sure what the Commission could say was their goal as a Planning Commission aside from what is already before them.
Commissioner Loris commented that after they have a meeting to reexamine what they have done they could discuss goals they want to do in the future and and the goals of the citizens.
Dale Coulam noted that Kevin Rudd does a good job of keeping the Commissioners advised of what’s coming up.
Kevin Rudd mentioned that the Land Use Plan shows an Old Township Overlay but it does not have a definitive definition of what that means. When time allows, the Commission needs to create a definition and the hard task of creating a zone. There are a few people that own lots that have questioned what can be done on these lots. The overlay is about creating infill development with smaller roads and higher density.
Commissioner Scott referred to Item #8 "Consider a public forum every year to get input from the community."
Chair Murphy explained that this item refers to more of a workshop forum. This was done during the discussion with the commercial property owners.
Kevin Rudd explained that if a private citizen comes up with a direction they think the Commission should go, the Commission would not want to do that without the City Council’s okay.
Dale Coulam cautioned that some people may attempt to do an end run on the application process.
Kevin Rudd noted that he has citizens that want to talk to the Commission but he directs them to the City Council to make requests under Citizen Comments. The Commission cannot do anything unless there is an application.
Chair Murphy felt that the Commission has tried public forums but unless they have something concrete it’s hard to ask people to come in and tell us what they think. It’s not focused and not very productive. A better way is having a public hearing. The citizens need something to put their finger on before asking for comments. It’s hard to get people to talk even at public hearings.
The Commissioners will have a review at the end of the year and build an outline of things coming up.
Kevin Rudd felt it’s good to have a plan to review the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance and consider what needs to be reviewed.
Chair Murphy felt they should earmark the review for the end of the year but if necessary they could have a discussion in the middle of the year.
It was also suggested to have the discussion after electing a new Chair and Vice Chair, and it would be a good review for a new Commissioner to see what the Commission has been working on and what they should be thinking about.

Chair Adel Murphy	AYE
Commissioner Jeffrey Loris	AYE
Commissioner Mike Scott	AYE
Commissioner Todd Benson	ABSENT

Chair Adel Murphy	AYE
Commissioner Jeffrey Loris	AYE
Commissioner Mike Scott	AYE
Commissioner Todd Benson	ABSENT