Planning Board backs City Council referral to add 'administrative amendment' category and fee

Planning staff proposed creating a new 'administrative amendment' category in the city code to sit between minor and substantial site‑plan amendments, and to apply a fee for that review equal to 50% of the original application fee. Staff explained the change would help process items that require more review than a minor amendment but are not a full substantial amendment and noted that fees scale to the estimated cost of construction.

Board members asked whether the fee could be cost‑prohibitive for smaller applicants; staff responded that because the fee is scaled to project cost, smaller projects should not be unduly burdened. After discussion the board voted a positive referral to City Council to consider the code change and associated fee structure.