Holly Hill commission tables variance so staff can work with applicant amid staffing changes

The Holly Hill Planning Commission tabled a variance application after staff told the commission the request needed further work and review. A Staff member said staff and the applicant had discussed the proposal and recommended tabling "so that, Brian can work with them to try to address this application a little more."

The staff presentation cited recent administrative turnover — including the city manager's retirement and other staff changes — as having caused a communication breakdown that left the file without a complete review. "Brian ... I called Brian today because I read it, the agenda," the Staff member said, explaining that Brian had reviewed the request and "he goes I can't support it so" the clerk or applicant needed time to revise the proposal. A Committee member then moved to table the item to allow staff to meet with the applicant; the motion was accepted and participants confirmed the item would return to the commission or the planning board at a later meeting if needed.

The staff speaker apologized to the applicant and the commission for the confusion, saying the item could be withdrawn if no relief was required but that tabling preserved options if a smaller variance were still necessary. The commission did not record a formal roll-call vote in the transcript; meeting participants affirmed the decision to table and agreed to follow up after staff and the applicant confer.