Petaluma council diminishes role of city planning commission

<p>A divided Petaluma City Council has voted to expand its authority over major development and delegate less responsibility to appointed panels, a shift the majority says will increase voter accountability and public involvement in the planning process.</p><p>By a 5-2 vote, the council said Monday it will be the final arbiter on applications that could otherwise be be approved by the Planning Commission and the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee.</p><p>“Obviously, this has been an issue with passionate voices on both sides,” said Mayor Pam Torliatt, who voted with the environment friendly majority.</p><p>Also, the council said it would consolidate the two panels and allow individual council members to make future appointments. The current practice determines membership by majority council vote.</p><p>Torliatt said combining the two commissions would streamline the planning process.</p><p>Councilman David Rabbitt and Mike Healy cast dissenting votes. Both said the council should be required to approve major development but said smaller projects could bog down council business.</p><p>The implementation date is unclear. City Manager John Brown said staffing shortages would delay the drafting of new policies increasing council authority and disbanding the commissions.</p>