Planning Commission recommends ordinance 9‑15 amendments to implement community involvement changes

The commission continued deliberations on Ordinance 9‑15, a package of amendments to comprehensive plan elements and the Community Development Code intended to implement changes directed by the Board in R&O 2614.

Senior Planner Todd Borkowitz reviewed staff responses to questions raised at a prior hearing, including maps showing how new community plan boundaries align with former Community Participation Organization (CPO) boundaries, annual reporting expectations for the Planning Commission’s role under Goal 1, and the sequencing of related ordinances to address state law changes. Borkowitz said the ordinance must be ready for Board consideration in late summer so related housing‑change ordinance work can proceed before the end of the calendar year.

Commissioners expressed mixed views about adopting something that is not fully fleshed out but agreed the existing system needed reform. Commissioner Fry moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of Ordinance 9‑15 to the Board; the motion was seconded and the roll‑call vote was 8–0 in favor. Staff said if the Board adopts the ordinance, the commission would return this fall for additional implementation details and further discussion of how the Community Involvement Program will be executed.