by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
City Attorney John Agnew reviewed the requirements of the Sunshine Law for the Planning Commissioners at the May 14 meeting. The Sunshine Law requires that all meetings of any state, county, or municipal board or commission in Florida be open to the public and declares that actions taken at closed meetings are not binding. For example, Agnew explained, one commissioner making a comment to another must be made into the microphone so the public can hear it and cannot be just between the two commissioners. Questions should be asked of staff rather than of each other, and staff will respond to all commissioners. These are still considered ex parte communications.
In other news:
Regarding Conditional Use Permits, Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler said City Council requested a review. He explained conditional use is generally permitted subject to conditions and can only be permitted if it meets all conditions. Restaurants, grocery stores, and retail are all conditional uses, in part to make sure they’re compatible with adjacent uses. City staff will take recommendations and thoughts to City Council and come back to the Planning Commission. Under consideration is whether traffic impact statements are required. They have been required in the past but are not a requirement of the Code so that’s a clarification to be made. There are also issues regarding parking standards and vegetation.
Schedule change: The Nov. 12, 2024 meeting of the Planning Commission has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.
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