pages: PlanningBoard/2007-01-31.pdf, 4
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PlanningBoard | 2007-01-31 | 4 | to read the material and contact the Planning & Building Department with questions or concerns they may have. She noted it would be helpful if staff continues to move toward the goal of more advanced time for the Board to review packets and have questions addressed in a timely manner. Ms. Woodbury mentioned being able to trust staff to enable staff member to give direction and ideas to a project. She also mentioned adding conditions and making sure they are enforceable. Board member Mariani requested e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and extensions for staff. Vice President Cook noted that she has not received more than a handful of electronic e-mail communications from the public before meetings but she has received hard copy e-mails before meetings. Ms. Jackson informed the Board that generally correspondence received from the public comes in the day of their meeting and is then forwarded to the Planning Board members. Ms. Woodbury continued with her PowerPoint presentation. She noted that when projects come before the Board, it is important to remember that no project is perfect when it begins. She also noted that the Board could potential approve a project in concept and give staff and the applicant clear direction. She stated to the Board that she understood the only way the Board could do this is if they really trusted staff. She assured the Board that staff would continue to work with the Board to improve communication and gain their trust. She noted there is a comprehensive training schedule for staff to improve their condition of approval writing abilities since new staff has been hired in the last four months. In response to an inquiry by Board member McNamara regarding what the Planning Department's role is in policing projects to ensure projects are in compliance with conditions and what the penalties are for noncompliance, Ms. Woodbury responded it depends on the conditions. She noted that it is the Planning & Building Department's responsibility to monitor and enforce conditions. Board member Kohlstrand commented on the packet deliver times and feels that packets and agendas should be available at least a week in advance for adequate review. She also mentioned approving projects in concept and providing direction to staff. She would like the City Attorney to take a more proactive role in meetings. She commended the Planning Services Manager, Andrew Thomas, on his ability to gather the Board's comments to ensure their conditions are adequately documented on projects he brings before the Board. Board member Ezzy Ashcraft concurred with Board member Kohlstrand's comment on having the City Attorney take more of a proactive role an the meetings. She also suggested that some staff reports be more clearly written to help everyone have a clear plan of action to approve or deny projects based on findings. Vice President Cook concurred with Board member Kohlstrand's comment on more assistance and guidance from the City Attorney during the meetings. She also suggested follow-ups on projects that have previously come before the Board to ensure that what the Board approved is what the project Planning Board Minutes Page 4 January 31, 2007 | PlanningBoard/2007-01-31.pdf |