Ellsworth planning staff proposes bylaws to clarify meetings while retaining Chapter 18 authority

Planning staff told the Ellsworth Planning Board that bylaws could be pulled out of Chapter 18 and written as a shorter, easily revised guide to how the board runs meetings and what members and applicants should expect.

"Bylaws do not have to go to council to be approved for updates," said Eniro, the city planner, describing the draft as a practical tool to complement—but not replace—the ordinance language in Chapter 18. The planner said the draft would be run by legal staff and brought to council when ready.

Board members asked that bylaws avoid duplicating statutory language and that important requirements in Chapter 18 be cross-referenced in the bylaws to prevent conflicts. Staff said the city consolidated ordinance updates on July 1 and that the bylaws should be grounded in the revised Chapter 18. The board asked staff to circulate an updated draft focused on approval process, order of business and public-facing guidance before the next meeting.

Board members and a public commenter also discussed whether some procedural items (for example, the chair's authority to grant extra comment time) should remain flexible or be written as fixed rules, but no final wording was adopted. The item will return to a future agenda after staff revisions.