MOORPARK : Planners Seek Input of Council on Status

Moorpark planning commissioners, frustrated over their limited role in development decisions, said they plan to meet with the City Council before they decide whether to recommend that their board be disbanded.

“Everybody agreed that that would be the best thing,” Commissioner Steve Brodsky said at a Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. He said commissioners want to “figure out what our roles are and what the City Council expects from us.” Brodsky said he hopes that the joint meeting will take place within the next month.

At a Feb. 18 meeting, commissioners agreed with Chairman Michael H. Wesner Jr., who suggested that the commission disband because of its lack of clout and influence on issues that are ultimately decided by the City Council.

But the commission could only disband if the City Council ordered it, and council members have said they would not approve such a move. The council members appoint the planning commissioners to serve as advisers to the council.

Commissioners have been particularly upset that some City Council members have made statements to the press that were critical of recent decisions by the commission. In addition, commissioners have complained that the City Council may disregard their recommendations on proposed amendments to the city’s General Plan.

Mayor Paul W. Lawrason Jr. has said the council may give the commission more power over certain development decisions.