02/23/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Murray displayed a map detailing location of residences of past Pldj':jiing cOmnUssion members, centered mostly in the southern portion of town. It seems, said Mr. Murray, that it is advantageous to have citywide representation on a de~ision-ma.king board, as it is with the Council and Budget Committee. He e added it would seem to have even greater application on the Planning COmnUssion - since those members deaZ with land use issues. The idea is not to adopt a system of political representation - but rather geographic distribution. It is not the intent, he went on to say, to have an immediate radical overhaul but rather to achieve the desired distribution through attrition. It would, however, necessitate the appointment of one additional Planning Commdssion member, coming- from a wa~-d not now represented - .there are currently three wards with no representation, he added. He and Mr. Hamel are asking Council to give conceptual cOmnUtment to the idea~ and they would like staff to draft a Council bylaw amendment or other appropriate document. Mr. williams noted there has been a strong historical tendency to have certain professional representation on the Planning COmnUssion and wonders how that Rright affect distribution by wards. Also, he said, in a bOdy that is solely advisory to the council, he is not sure the concept of ward representation necessarily is all tbat applicable. Mr. Murray does not feel that appointing people of certain professions would be a hindrance or barrier to geographic distribution. Too, he feels there is an advantage in having a Planning COmnUssion that has had some experience in the total community. First-hand experience is equivalent to knowledge, he said, and the ward system is only a vehicle. He also added that, when a vacancy arises, Council should follow the existing procedure and seek as many applicants as care to apply. Mr. Keller said hjs dilemrne is that he assumes a Planning Commissioner's job is to plan to the best of his/her ability. He does not see the relationship between planning and living in a geographic area. Too, Commission members continually receive input so persons with knowledge of a certain area can have that expertise implemented into the planning process. e Mr. Murray would take issue with the idea there is no connection between planning and where a person resides. His opinion is that experience is a strong asset in planning - those people have something of value of contribute. As an example, he noted that recently the city was faced with developing interim action in the West University area. The Council appointed Mrs. Beal to the comndttee because it was her area, and the Planning Co~ssion also appointed someone from that area. Mr. Murray therefore believes that the Council really feels first-hand experience is important. Mrs. Shirey would like to further explore the proposal and wonders if staff could provide more feedback before continuing the discussion. Mr. Murray would prefer asking staff to do terms of presenting it as an actual pla:l. in philosophical comment from staff. some preliRrinaT.'i legal. work in He is not particularly interested Mr. Williams suggested asking the Plcl:ming COmnUssion to respond to the proposal. Mr. Murray would Q';> .:-:le that referral of the matter to other groups would be worthwhile but woul Mrs. Beal explained that, when she was first on the Council, they thought of themselves more in termS of being representative of the whole city and she would like to think the Planning Commission feels the same way. e IQ8 2/23/76 - 16