PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Concur with staff's recommended options for public participation at PZC meetings held remotely
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Allison Laff, AICP, Deputy Director; Pat Lord, Senior Assistant City Attorney
ENTITLEMENTS REQUESTED:
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BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
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BACKGROUND:
At the February 16, 2021 City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution outlining the rules for public participation at City Council meetings while Council meetings are held remotely pursuant to Section 140/7(e) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act during the pendency of the Illinois gubernatorial disaster proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The adopted resolution noted that Naperville Boards and Commissions may establish their own rules for public participation for their meetings.
Legal and Planning staff are recommending that the PZC clarify and streamline their rules for public participation at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings for new cases conducted remotely beginning at the April 8, 2021 PZC meeting. Current rules of participation shall apply to hearings opened before April 8th. Finally, these rules may be revisited in the future as the PZC returns to full in-person meetings.
DISCUSSION:
Public participation at the City of Naperville's open meetings must comply with the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA). Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OMA was amended to allow public bodies to hold meetings electronically in order to mitigate safety concerns related to in-person gatherings.
The City desires to ensure that the options available for the public to address the PZC at open meetings are appropriately balanced against the ability to conduct efficient open meetings.
The current process providing for public participation at public hearings before the PZC includes:
(1) emailed comments; and
(2) an online speaker sign-up form allow...
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