Staff seeks formal public hearings, shorter notice windows and narrower referral responses for SIPs

Staff told the Planning Commission the amendments would change how the public is notified and how outside agencies are treated during SIP review. Community Development Director Donna Ferguson explained that converting SIP consideration to a "public hearing" activates a formal public-notice process and allows testimony specific to each SIP.

Ferguson said staff proposes to remove the requirement to publish appeal notices in a newspaper and to instead rely on written notice and posted property signs as sufficient public notice. She also proposed standardizing the notice form and shortening the notice period from 15 days to 14 days to align with week-based practice.

On referrals, staff proposed defining "regulatory agencies" (those with review and approval authority) separately from advisory agencies; applicants would not be required to formally respond to advisory-agency comments, though staff said referrals would still be sent to advisory groups.

Supporters said the changes clarify roles and reduce ambiguity; some commissioners asked staff to ensure council-level policy gaps are identified as the Unified Land Development Code is updated.