Boundary County Planning and Zoning

MINUTES

Special Meeting, November 5, 2008

 

Members present: Jake Negley, Tom Hollingsworth, Matt Morgan, Henry McMahon, Doug Reoch. Members absent: Jan Christenson (called), Rod Barcklay (called), Barry Davis, Bruce Behrman. Staff present: Mike Weland

 

  1. Hollingsworth opened the meeting at 5:30, and members reviewed Section 3 of the proposed zoning and subdivision ordinance, specifically violations and penalties. Members reviewed Phil Robinson’s comments. Discussion was held on the difference between infractions and misdemeanors, as well as the enforcement process. Steve Tanner stated that imposing an infraction denied those accused of a trial by jury, and imposition of the administrative penalty would cloud title without recourse or appeal. Steve Shelman concurred, and said he favored keeping all violations as misdemeanors. Wilma Wallace said she liked the proposal as written, as it gave those in violation ample opportunity to correct a violation before legal action was taken. After discussion, members concurred with the establishment of the penalties as presented, noting that infractions for lesser violations provided a more sure method for compelling adherence without attaching a criminal penalty. Members concurred that imposing jail time for misdemeanor planning violations was unreasonable, so established that misdemeanors would be punishable by fine only.
  2. Members reviewed and amended Sections 5.1 and 5.2 as annotated.
  3. The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.