Commissioner proposes handbook and subcommittees to broaden commission’s policy role

Commissioner John Schulte on Thursday, June 12 presented a proposal for two small working groups and a Planning Commissioner’s handbook to improve training, increase proactive policy work and help the commission respond to changes in authority under Senate Bill 1537.

Schulte framed the reform idea as two complementary efforts: a short-term “housekeeping” training committee to develop an official Dallas Planning Commissioner’s handbook, and a policy-focused best-practices committee to scan what other Oregon planning commissions do and recommend new commission activities for city leadership to consider.

Schulte said the legislation known as SB 1537 is “intended to expedite housing development and affordability,” and he argued the bill changes the planning landscape in ways that could reduce the commission’s administrative workload while opening opportunities for higher-value policy work. He told colleagues that a short, focused handbook would provide consistent onboarding and reduce gaps in technical knowledge among commissioners.

Discussion at the meeting emphasized three near-term steps: assemble a small volunteer group to draft a handbook, coordinate with city staff and the city manager before expanding policy work, and present the draft handbook and any proposed scope changes to city leadership for review. Staff noted that city code authorizes the commission to “make studies, hold hearings, and prepare reports and recommendations on its own initiative,” and several commissioners said they would contact the city manager to brief him on the idea.

Commissioners and staff raised practical issues including staff capacity, funding for surveys or consultant support if deeper policy work is pursued, and the need to secure buy-in from the city manager and council for a broader policy role. Several commissioners described the handbook as “low-hanging fruit” that would both build capacity and demonstrate the commission’s readiness to take on additional tasks.

No formal vote or ordinance was recorded. Commissioners agreed to place the handbook and committee proposal on a future meeting agenda for further discussion and to contact the city manager, and at least one commissioner volunteered to help draft the handbook.

The proposal also recommended consulting DLCD and model handbooks from other Oregon cities as references; Schulte specifically suggested inviting Melissa Aarons (DLCD) to a workshop and looking at examples such as Carlton’s planning-commission handbook. Commissioners stressed the need to coordinate steps with city leadership so that any expanded commission role would be explicitly authorized and resourced by the city manager or council.