Maybe better would be a retreat with a facilitator to work through issues. (Get one that doesn’t waste time at the beginning of the meeting asking everyone to introduce themselves.)

When Council proposed modest changes for the relationship between the DDA and Council, some DDA Board members complained that Council had failed to collaborate with the DDA before seeking those changes. A joint working session of the Council and Planning Commission could be the kind of collaboration that the DDA sought.

I think some members of the Planning Commission recognize that staff has a tough time working with Council. Part of the problem is that the Planning Commission and the planning staff have a vision of our town that will accomplish some significant changes in personal behavior. For example, there seems to be some belief that land use planning can “nudge” resident out of their vehicles into alternative modes of transportation (whether residents want that or not).

If Council and the Planning Commission are pursuing different policy, there will continue to be considerable friction between the two. This can lead to circumstances where site plans and ordinance revisions recommended by the Planning Commission are rejected by Council

Joint working sessions might lead to an understanding by the Planning Commission about the ultimate policy considerations the Council will apply to planning decisions. I think the Planning Commission should welcome such collaboration.