Assistant City Attorney Jill Hoffman explained the authority of the commission on:
- Zoning. The zoning commission recommends approval or denial of all requests for original zonings, rezonings and master development plans.
- Subdivisions. The commission makes final decisions on subdivision plats, but cannot disapprove a plat if it meets all requirements set by the subdivision ordinance.
Additionally, Hoffman explained ethics policies that apply to the zoning commission, including:
- Conflicts of interest. Commissioners must abstain from participating in an agenda item if they have a substantial interest in the owner or property.
- Bribery and gifts. Members of the commission cannot receive gifts worth over $50 from people who have pending zoning requests with the city.
- Open meetings. Any time there is a quorum—when four commissioners are together, discussing public business—an agenda must be posted 72 hours ahead of time. Quorums can also be group email chains or other methods for four or more commissioners to communicate with one another.
- Meeting with applicants. Commissioners cannot talk about city business with individuals with pending zoning applications except for at properly posted public meetings. This differs from rules that apply to city council members, who can meet with residents about city topics.
“All meetings must be open, with few exceptions—those exceptions are when we go into executive session,” she said.
Hoffman said it is very rare for the planning and zoning commission to enter into executive session, which is reserved for confidential information like legal advice.
Learn more about the commission at www.cedarparktexas.gov/government/boards-commissions/planning-zoning-commission-p-z.
