Planning Commission recommends draft resolution to formalize community involvement program to Board of Commissioners

Senior Planner Todd Borkowitz presented a draft Resolution and Order (RNO) implementing the Board of Commissioners’ earlier direction (R&O 2614) to update Washington County’s community involvement program and transition Committee for Community Involvement responsibilities to the Planning Commission. Borkowitz said Exhibit A in the draft RNO would satisfy Statewide Planning Goal 1 by documenting the county’s mechanism to evaluate the Citizen Involvement Program and that no formal state approval is required for the change.

Commissioners asked about funding and staffing for the expanded responsibilities. Ms. Johnson said positions for community engagement had been budgeted and that Adrienne Shalei will transition in October to a community partnerships and engagement lead role; an additional budgeted position will be staffed afterward. Vice Chair Monte Blanco moved that the Planning Commission recommend authorization of the draft RNO (including Exhibit A) to the Board; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 8–0.

Borkowitz said the draft RNO would repeal several outdated resolutions and relocate neighborhood meeting requirements into the Community Development Code for clarity if adopted by the Board. Staff described annual reporting to the commission and said a sample motion was provided in the packet. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.