MINUTES

Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission

August 21, 2003

Members present: Jane Kirby, Rod Barcklay, Jim Paulus, Mary Ann Luedtke, Doug Reoch, Toby Schnuerle. Staff present: Mike Weland. Members absent: Donna Standley, Marc Paulson.

1. Paulus called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and called for reading of the July minutes. Luedtke made motion to waive reading and approve the minutes as presented. Barcklay seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

2. Paulus opened public hearing on AM 03-02, read the hearing procedure and called for public comment. Jacob Epstein, Porthill, said he was neither for or against the proposal, but had a few comments. On notice of violation, he asked if it would be better to notify both the property owner and the tenant or occupant so as to better resolve the violation. On section B, he recommended granting the zoning administrator authority to submit violations directly to the prosecutor and to request cease and desist orders without approval from county commissioners. On Chapter 5, Section 5, he recommended requiring utilities to notify the zoning administrator whenever a service was connected. On Chapter 11, he stated the proposal does not make clear what constitutes an agreement by the board to order mediation, and stated that all sections dealing with public hearings needed to be modified to reflect mediation as an option. On Chapter 14, he stated that paragraph B may provide a loophole by the use of “or,” he recommended the second phrase be omitted. He said section E stipulates that off-street parking be provided while section A prohibits modification of the parcel. On section G, he stated the zoning administrator should be required to report the issuance of home occupation permits to the board. He requested an explanation of paragraph I.

There being no further public comment, Paulus closed the hearing to public testimony and called for discussion among members. Kirby said she felt violation notices and cease and desist order requests need to go through commissioners. Members concurred. Discussion was held on Chapter 14, home based businesses. Kirby asked why the section was necessary. Schnuerle said he felt the section was good as written. Members concurred that the board should be notified of permits issued. Staff stated that a monthly report of all permits and violation notices issued could easily be generated and provided members, and that he didn’t feel it was necessary to include a provision in the ordinance. After discussion, Luedtke made motion that AM 03-02 be forwarded to Boundary County Commissioners as written, with the understanding that a monthly activity report be generated by the zoning administrator for each member. Kirby seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

3. Members met Barry Coleman, who had submitted a letter of interest in serving on the board. Schnuerle submitted a letter of interest from Don Plato. Paulus asked that a decision on recommending a new member be added to the September agenda.

4. There being no further business, Kirby made motion to adjourn. Schnuerle seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting ended at 6:15 p.m.