SEQUIM — City Planning Commission members have asked the City Council to pare the advisory panel back two members because the city is having difficulty recruiting new commissioners for a seven-member panel.
“The Planning Commission agreed that the number should be five instead of seven because for several months, the Planning Commission didn’t get any applicants,” City Councilman Don Hall told his fellow council members Monday night.
The council only discussed the matter and will formally consider cutting back the commission at its next meeting.
A vacancy on the Planning Commission has been advertised on the city’s website since October.
City Attorney Craig Ritchie said that because the city code requires seven members, the council needs to reconsider the commission’s option.
Ritchie said commissions have five or seven members normally. Some cities and counties have a single hearing examiner instead of a planning commission, he said.
Councilman Ted Miller said he believes the city should be encouraging people to apply for openings rather than cut the Planning Commission’s size.
Councilwoman Susan Lorenzen suggested the council require a commission of at least five members, not more than seven, and most members must live within the city.
Applications are available at Sequim City Hall, 152 W. Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382, by phoning 360-683-4139 or by visiting the website at www.ci.sequim.wa.us.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.