Proposals to Facilitate
Planning Commission Success
September 8, 2026
Councilmember Shane Smith (
D4
)
1 Issue
Whether the City Council should implement
procedures and request administrative
changes to put our Planning Commission in a
stronger position to be successful, and
thereby improve the quality of our own
decision making when exercising policy
making and appellate authority?
2 Relevant Charter Sections
§ 300: “Councilmanager” form of government
§ 405: “All powers of the city shall be vested in the city council,” subject to limitations.
§ 406: No Council interference in administrative service directed by City Manager
§ 700: “There shall be the boards and commissions enumerated in this article which shall have the powers and duties herein stated.
In addition, the city council may create by ordinance such boards or commissions as in its judgment are required and may grant to them such powers and duties as are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.” 3
Relevant Charter Sections
§ 707: Creates Planning Commission “of seven members to be appointed by the City Council.” City staff “shall be made available to such commission.”
§ 708: Delegates powers to Planning Commission.
A. Recommendations to Council after public hearing
regarding “annexation, land subdivision, development,
planning, zoning, general plan, master plan, specific plan, or any part thereof, including all necessary environmental review accompanying such matter, for the physical
development of the City;” and
B. “Exercise such functions with respect to those matters” further delegated by Council. 4
In Other Words . . .
•Council delegated land use authority to
Planning Commission
•Commissioners are appointed by Council,
should be insulated from political pressure
•Planning Commission has access to City staff
in the exercise of its land use authority
5 How can we put Planning
Commission in the best
position to succeed?
6 Proposal 1: Clarify the Issues Presented
• At the call of each item, Planning Commission Chair or Acting City Attorney should identify the issues being considered AND state the legal standard applicable to each.
• In plain English, Planning Commission staff reports should clearly state the applicable legal standard AND define that standard. • Chair, Vice Chair, and Acting City Attorney should ensure factual findings showing how a proposed action satisfies (or does not satisfy) the applicable legal standard are articulated on the record at the time the action is taken.
• Staff should ensure those findings are reflected in Planning Commission resolutions and written decisions, AND
communicated to Council when necessary. 7
Proposal 2: Permit Referral To Council
• Permit a majority of Planning Commission to agendize policy questions within their § 708 jurisdiction for discussion by that body at a regular meeting.
• Following that discussion in a public hearing, a majority of Planning Commission may submit a Referral Letter to Council laying out factual findings and recommending potential policy action that Council may, in its discretion, adopt, adopt in modified form, or reject.
• No Staff direction by Planning Commission other than to request submission of the Referral Letter.
• Referral Letter set on regular Council agenda within 60 days. 8 Proposal 3: Invest In Planning Commission
• Interview Planning Commission applicants during regular Council meeting.
• Swearing-in ceremony at start of Commissioner’s term. • Provide City email, business cards.
• Training.
• Small, proportionate monthly stipend starting 2027-2028 budget year.
• Invite subset of Commissioners to participate ex-officio in relevant Council Committee discussions as appropriate and in Council’s discretion.
9 Request for Council Action
• Discussion of these and your proposals.
• Referral to Council’s Ethics & Governance Committee.
• Request that Planning Commission Chair and up to
two other Commissioners have opportunity for input
at Council committee level (e.g., joint meeting).
• Return developed proposals to Council for
recommendation and potential action.
10