During the Kenai City Council meeting last night and whether or not the Planning and Zoning Commission may participate telephonically was under scrutiny.
Council Member Bob Molloy told us the issue of participating over the phone at Planning and Zoning Commission’s meetings.
Molloy: “The major dilemma was that the ordinance we’re looking at uses the council ordinance as a template and it doesn’t really fit because we’re sort of like apples and oranges. The Commission is advisory but they also have a judicial function where they hear evidence and they have hearings on items like conditional use permits.”
He added that he would like to look at other municipality planning and zoning commission practices and use those as guidelines.
Kenai Mayor Pat Porter was participating in the meeting telephonically and pushed to have the ordinance passed and figure out any kinks later, and Council Member Tim Navarre, also participating telephonically, supported it saying there is no reason for the commission not to be able to use that tool.
The Commission brought it to the council in December, citing that it is the only body of the City that regularly meets and does not have this option.
Eventually the Council voted unanimously to postpone it until more amendments could be made and review it next meeting.