The Rapid City Planning Commission on July 10 approved a procedural ordinance amendment to remove a redundant "set for hearing" step from the city code for certain applications that state statute already governs.

Jessica Olson, a current planner, told the commission the state requirements for this category of applications "does not require a set for hearing" and that the city code step is therefore unnecessary. She said the change will not alter the public-notice schedule required by state law: items will be placed on the council agenda with the same public notice ("once each week for at least two successive weeks") prior to hearing.

Commissioner Vicky and other members praised staff for researching the change. Vicky said she was "glad to see that we have 2 council members present today" and thanked Jessica and Kinsley for the work that confirmed the process could be eliminated.

The commission voted to approve the amendment as presented; staff said the change should reduce confusion at Council meetings and will be forwarded to City Council for final action.