Planning commission recommends bylaws changes to reflect state law on commissioner composition
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Summary
After discussion about occupation-based restrictions in ORS, the commission unanimously voted to recommend proposed bylaws changes to the Board of Commissioners; staff noted House Bill 3136 creates flexibility for commissions larger than five members but the two-person occupation limit remains in state statute.
Clatsop County’s Planning Commission discussed proposed bylaw revisions and unanimously recommended that the Board of Commissioners accept the amendments as presented.
Community Development Director Gail Henriksen summarized the changes and said House Bill 3136 allows additional flexibility for commissions larger than five members in how occupation-based limits apply, but she clarified the state prohibition limiting more than two members with the same occupation remains in the Oregon Revised Statutes and cannot be changed locally. Commissioner Sutanovich said that restriction was her primary concern, noting it would bar more than two people listing the same occupation such as commercial fishing from serving simultaneously if the occupation is recorded that way.
Commissioners also discussed geographic diversity language in the draft bylaws and whether removing a singled-out reference to developers was appropriate; staff pointed to language in the draft that strives for representation from each planning area. A motion to recommend the amendments to the Board was moved, seconded and approved unanimously on a roll call vote.
Staff offered next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration.