Commission completes bylaws

It was nearly a year-long debate, but the Saratoga Planning Commission finally voted on and approved their bylaws at their Oct. 14 meeting.

The discussion of bylaws has taken place at nearly every planning commission meeting since the changes were first proposed at the Jan. 14 2014 meeting. The bylaws were addressed because they were a mere two-pages long and were initially developed “years ago”, according to board chairman Rory Grubb.

The commission adopted many bylaws from similarly-sized municipalities in Wyoming and California.

Finishing the bylaws proved to be difficult for the commission. Strong dissenting opinions on subjects like allowing a councilperson a vote on the board often delayed the completion of the bylaws. On many occasions, board members unintentionally re-voted on bylaws measures which had already been passed.

The planning commission came to a consensus at their September meeting to assemble a three-person task force to finish the bylaws, which included board members Greg Cooksey, Chris Shannon and Tom Knickerbocker. Reports of the meeting was it was relatively short and extremely productive.

The task force presented the bylaws to the rest of the board at the Oct. 14 meeting. Though there were minor alterations to the bylaws, it was passed unanimously.

The next Saratoga Planning Commission meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Nov.13 at Saratoga Town Hall. There will be a special hearing on the fencing ordinance beginning at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Saratoga Town Hall.