Commission debates pre-consultation fees and leans against charging routine pre-application review

Commissioners discussed the draft code's proposed fee for a zoning clearance permit/pre-consultation. Several commissioners argued that routine pre-application consultations should be free to avoid discouraging property owners from seeking informal confirmation of allowed uses. Commissioner (speaker 7) stated plainly, "Not for pre application. No. That's free." Commissioner (speaker 1) then said on the record to "Strike c," indicating removal of the fee item from the draft.

Staff cautioned that more intensive pre-consultations for large developments may require staff research and time to generate an official document, and in those cases a minimal fee could be appropriate. Commissioners noted scale should guide fee policy — simple inquiries (for example, whether a deck is allowed by right) should remain free while larger, research-intensive consultations could be charged a modest amount to cover staff time. The commission did not set a fee schedule at the meeting but directed staff to remove the proposed mandatory fee for routine pre-application reviews.