During public comment on Oct. 23, Planning Board member Julie Tapierono asked how and when the planning board would be involved in the planned reorganization and rewrite of the city’s land-development and zoning code.

City staff answered that the planning board is the first review body for code amendments. “When we do minor amendments, it always goes to plan board first for their recommendation, and then it comes to you all,” a city official told the commission. The official added that the planning board may recommend approval, approval with changes, or other recommendations, but the commission makes the final decision.

Tapierono listed issues she would like the rewrite to address, including zoning, site planning, business and street lighting, annexation, setback lines and impact-fee tiers, sidewalks, parks and schools. She asked whether the planning board would have workshops or other formal opportunities to weigh in.

City staff and the commission said workshops are planned; one commissioner recalled language about holding three to four workshops across the city and staff later confirmed that a couple of workshops already are set up. Staff reiterated that plan-board review will be a required step in the legal order of operations for code amendments.

The commission did not take any final action on an LDC amendment at the Oct. 23 meeting. Staff directed the planning board to continue its advisory role and to coordinate workshop scheduling as the rewrite proceeds.