19.16.080 Review by planning commission.
A. Public Hearing.
1. After environmental review, the planning commission must hold at least one public hearing before issuing a recommendation on each proposal.
2. If necessary due to the number of people present to comment, the planning commission may continue the public hearing to another date, time, or location.
B. Deliberations.
1. Required Consideration. The planning commission must consider the following in making its recommendation:
a. Public hearing testimony and written comment received during any public comment period;
b. Recommendations and analysis from relevant city advisory groups;
c. Staff recommendations and analysis;
d. Legal advice;
e. Consistency of the proposal with the comprehensive plan;
f. For proposed comprehensive plan map changes, whether the proposal is justified by changed or changing conditions, whether the proposal would create an isolated land use designation unrelated to adjacent designations (a spot zone), and whether the proposal will be compatible with neighboring properties and not adversely affect the value of those properties.
2. Ability to Ask Follow-Up Questions. The Planning Commission may ask specific follow-up questions of those that testify or submit written comments in order to clarify their testimony or request specific further information.
3. Ability to Continue Deliberations. The Planning Commission may continue their deliberations to a subsequent meeting if it needs additional information or additional time to deliberate.
C. Recommendation to City Council.
1. Timing. At the conclusion of its deliberations, the planning commission must vote on the proposal.
2. Vote. The planning commission may vote to recommend approval, approval with modifications, or rejection of the proposal. The planning commission may recommend general modifications to the proposal and need not provide explicit textual edits.
3. Content. The planning commission’s recommendation on a proposal must be by recorded motion, which must contain the following components:
a. Findings of Fact. a list of facts that the planning commission believes to be true and that are relevant to its recommendation on the proposal.
b. Reasons for Action. an explanation of the planning commission’s rationale in making its recommendation.
c. Recommendation. the recommendation resulting from the vote.
d. Vote. a record of the roll call vote on the entire recorded motion.
e. Additional Comments. other relevant comments, suggestions, or recommendations, not strictly related to the recommendation, that the planning commission desires to include.
f. Signature of the chair attesting that the recorded motion reflects the planning commission’s decision. (Ord. 2992 § 1 (Att. A), 2016)