Boards to scale back time reviewing plan
By Cara Rank, Jackson, Hole, Wyo.
November 9, 2009
Weekly meetings to review the draft comprehensive plan will end 30 minutes early, which may allow one Jackson planning commissioner to continue serving on the volunteer board.
The town and county planning commissions voted Thursday to conclude their weekly meetings at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. The board has voted three times previously to finish meetings at 9 p.m., but after town Planning Commissioner Geneva Chong resigned because of the late meetings, the boards reconsidered.
Michael Pruett, chairman of the town planning commission, said shortening the meetings could mean the review process is extended weeks beyond anticipated.
He suggested shortening the meetings’ public comment portion, which occurs during the first 45 minutes of each session, to 30 minutes.
“Something has to give,” he said. “Nobody wants to go too long into the future.”
Other planning commissioners disagreed, and the motion failed.
“We have asked for this in the past,” town Planning Commissioner Lisa daCosta said. “I do believe the public has observed the loss of effectiveness and productivity after about 8:15 on a pretty consistent basis.”
She added that the boards have had 16 meetings on the plan and she thought it was reasonable to finish 30 minutes early.
Some members of the public agreed.
West bank resident Gregory Griffith said the boards should strive for “meeting efficiency” rather than “meeting duration.”
In addition, Griffith said ending earlier would allow Chong to stay on the board.
Because of personal reasons, Chong has been forced to leave the weekly comprehensive plan reviews early. She resigned because of that.
As she left Thursday’s meeting early, Chong said she didn’t know how the change to the scheduled meeting time would impact her resignation. Because she submitted an official letter to the town, Chong said she assumed elected officials were required to advertise her position and take applications for the vacancy.
