Planning commission discusses planner position

Saratoga Mayor Ed Glode asked the Saratoga Planning Commission what they would like to see in a planner.

The consensus was to have a planner that works closely with the Planning Commission and follows through on the wishes of the Planning Commission.

Chuck Bartlett, the Town Engineer who also served as the planner, resigned from all town positions last month.

Glode also asked the members what they needed from the governing body.

The members of the Planning Commission discussed the job description, but said they would need more details from the Saratoga Town Council before they are ready to advertise the position, such as payroll parameters.

Enforcement and who would be in charge of enforcement was also discussed. Tom Knickerbocker, who is on the Planning Commission and is also the Saratoga Chief of Police, shared the difference between criminal and civil cases, and that a zoning violation is considered civil.

Knickerbocker said the zoning officer should sign the complaint, rather than the police department trying to determine if a zoning law or building permit is needed, as that requires knowing the zoning ordinance.

The Planning Commission is still waiting for the home occupation ordinance to come back from the attorney.

Glode asked the commission to be patient as the town attorney is working through a lot of documents from the town.

A master plan meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. on June 24 at the Saratoga Town Hall.

The next Planning Commission regular meeting is at 5:30 p.m., July 8 at the Saratoga Town Hall.