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From YouTube: Aiken This Week - August 31, 2015 : Liz Stewart
Description
Planning Commission Chair Liz Stewart discusses the purpose of the Planning Commission, its role in assisting City Council in decision-making, and how the Commission works with the City Planning Department.
A
A
C
Do
well
all
of
us
on
the
Planning
Commission,
our
volunteers.
This
is
a
volunteer
position.
We
are
each
member
of
the
Planning.
Commission
is
appointed
by
a
city
council,
member
and
all
of
us
have
other
lives.
This
is
this
is
just
a
volunteer
effort.
I
myself
own
my
own
business
and
so
I
have
a
vested
interest
in
making
sure
that
we
engage
the
business
community
and
that
we
everything
that
we
consider
looks
at
all
sides
of
it.
A
A
C
Then
we
have
Kent
Cubbage,
he
works
at
Eichen,
Technical
College
he's
an
instructor
there
and
we
have
Charles
Maxwell,
who
has
a
sideline
business
in
the
landscaping.
So
he
brings
some
some
expertise
to
the
table.
We
have
Bob
Begley,
who
is
with
the
akin
regional
medical
centers,
so
he
he
brings
a
certain
level
of
expertise
to
the
table
as
well.
C
Yes,
John
McMichael.
Yes,
he
is
with
Hudson
Etheridge
insurance,
and
so
we
have
a
very
diverse
group.
Some
folks
are
retired,
some
are
working,
some
are
semi
retired,
but
they're
all
very
experienced
people
they're
all
well
entrenched
in
the
community.
They
have
a
lot
of
contacts,
so
it
makes
it
easier
for
people
to
reach
out
to
us
with
any
concerns
they
might
have.
Okay,.
A
Now
I've
always
looked
at
the
Planning
Commission
as
being
one
of
the
most
difficult
in
the
city,
because
you
guys
have
to
make
some
hard
decisions
up
there
too,
but
now
recently
the
the
city
decided
that
we
were
willing
to
start
airing
these
on
channel,
4,
I,
think
live
and
for
some
reason
maybe
it
was
just
yesterday.
But
all
of
a
sudden,
you
have
a
four
and
a
half
five
minute
meeting
house
how's
that
word
that
good
planning
on
the
part
of
the
chairman.
C
That's
excellent
planning.
Well,
you
know
we,
we
do
follow
Robert's
Rules
and
if
you're
done
you're
done
yesterday,
there
was
one
of
our
record
short
ones.
Now
we
have
had
meetings
that
have
gone
on
till
930-10
30.
You
know
eleven
o'clock
at
night,
much
like
the
city
council
meetings.
It
really
just
depends
on
the
agenda.
In
this
particular
case.
C
C
C
You
know
it's
really
a
very
comprehensive
roll.
We
are
recommending
body
to
City
Council.
We
do
not
make
specific
decisions
ourselves.
We
just
when
we
take
a
vote
a
lot
of
times.
People
think
well
they're
done,
but
it's
not.
All
we
have
voted
to
do
is
to
make
this
recommendation
to
City,
Council
and
and
most
items
require
two
readings
at
City
Council's.
So
they
are
the
final.
In
fact,
I
will
often
remind
folks
this
is
the
day
that's
going
to
come
before
City
Council
and
we
encourage
you
to
participate
there.
So
they
don't
leave
here.
C
Thinking,
okay,
it's
a
done
deal,
but
basically,
at
an
a
global
perspective,
we're
trying
to
make
sure
that
we
maintain
the
highest
quality
of
life
for
our
citizens,
and
we
do
that
by
looking
at
how
livable
is
this
community?
How
how
well
can
we
all
have
a
great
quality
of
life
and
balance
that
with
an
economic
vitality?
And
so
we
really
do
look
at
all
issues,
not
just
very
specifically
to
the
application
before
us,
but
more
globally
to
what's
the
impact
of
this
and
what
will
happen
later?
A
C
A
C
They
are
discussions,
they
are
information
sharing
and
gathering
and-
and
the
value
for
me
is
to
draw
everyone
into
that
discussion
and
to
see
what
are
the
things
that
we
really
need
to
consider
that
we
may
not
have
thought
of
and
but
then,
when
we
come
into
our
open
meetings
and
we
have
the
citizen
participation,
that's
when
we
make
our
decision
after
we
have
heard
everyone.
Okay,.
A
C
Well,
that's
a
great
question
is
it
varies
now
the
applications
come
from
a
variety
of
sources.
Sometimes
the
citizen,
for
example,
will
want
to
submit
an
application
for
annexation
or
some
variants.
Sometimes
a
developer.
We've
had
a
lot
less
of
those
lately,
but
sometimes
a
developer
will
bring
a
plat
for
a
new
development.
C
Sometimes
City
Council
directs
us
to
look
at
an
ordinance.
The
city
manager
will,
from
time
to
time
fact
just
recently
asked
us
to
look
at
a
new
at
an
ordinance
and
consider
whether
it
needed
revision
and
then,
of
course,
sometimes
like
with
our
10
year
comprehensive
plan.
That's
a
state
law.
That's
mandated
that
we
have
to
look
at
things,
so
they
come
from
a
variety
of
different
sources.
But
when
it
comes
before
us,
we
look
at
and
we
depend
a
lot
on
our
planning
department.
C
They
do
a
fabulous
job
of
giving
us
the
research
in
the
background
and
the
history
and
what
the
what
if
they
recommend
some
additional
conditions
be
added
to
the
applications
approval.
We
will
look
at
all
of
that
and
then
we
also
look
at,
for
example,
if
we're
looking
at
a
development
or
new
construction
item,
we'll
look
at
not
just
that
site
plan,
but
we'll
look
at
how
does
this
fit
into
the
neighborhood?
How
does
it
fit
in?
How
does
what
impacts
would
have
on
traffic?
We
can
request
a
traffic
study.
C
A
C
C
Do
if
it's
in
the
historic
district,
the
horse
district,
you
know,
but
but
then
the
nice
thing
is
that
there
are
specific
groups.
You
know
we
do
have
a
historic
committee,
we
do
have
an
equine
committee
and
we
invite
those
people
to
share
their
perspectives
as
well.
You
know
we
can't
know
everything,
but
we
can
listen
to
everybody.
True.
C
Most
of
them,
I
think,
are
individuals
or
individual
businesses.
You
know
we'd
love
to
be
able
to
say
that
a
lot
of
them
were.
You
know,
development
and
I
more
global
scale,
but
you
know
the
economy
being
what
it
is
because
there's
a
lot
of
areas,
for
example
the
north
side,
where
we
think
you
know
that
are
underdeveloped,
but
you
know
the
economy
being
what
it
is
that
just
hasn't
isn't
happening
right
now,
I
would
say
a
lot
of
you
know.
This
is
probably
the
first
time
in
several
months
we
haven't
had
an
annexation
request.
A
Now,
when
a
developer
comes
to
town,
I
told
Tommy
the
other
week
when
he
was
going
to
be
on
the
show,
everybody
wanted
me
to
ask
Tommy
you
know,
what's
coming
to
town,
tell
us
what's
coming
to
tell:
are
we
getting
up
whatever
you
know?
You
just
can't
do
that.
How
do
you
review
the
applications
for
developers
and
you
have
to
have
a
lot
of
discretion?
You
have
to
have
a
lot
of
secrecy
in
the
fact
that
you
just
don't
want
to
let
out
who
the
businesses
are
too
early
in
the
process.
Well,.
C
B
A
And
I
was
going
to
ask
you
to
me,
and
this
is
probably
a
good
time.
You
know
we
talked
a
few
weeks
ago
about
your
role,
your
staffs
role,
what
all
you
do
on
a
day-to-day
basis,
but
you
know
every
Tuesday
following
the
first
city
council
meeting
of
the
month,
I
think
that's
correct.
There's
a
Planning
Commission!
It
doesn't
just
happen.
What
goes
into
the
staffs
role
of
preparing
the
agenda
and
everything
for
the
Planning
Commission?
It.
B
Really
depends
what
the
applications
are,
but
basically
we
are
there
to
do
the
homework.
Remember
the
commissioners
are
have
other
lives.
This
is
not
their
job.
We
get
paid
to
prepare
the
information
for
them
and
do
the
research
we're
there
to
support
them,
and
so
we
look
and
prepare
a
staff
report
that
looks
at
the
land
use
uses
in
the
land
uses
in
the
adjacent
areas.
B
How
it's
going
to
may
affect
those
the
neighbors,
the
history
of
the
property-
and
you
sometimes
that's
very
important
to
the
planning
Commissioner
to
have
that
background
and
then
how
it
fits.
The
other
biggie
is.
How
does
it
fit
the
comprehensive
plan?
There's
one
thing,
one
term
that
I
have
learned
since
working
with
Liz
as
past
years
is
the
term
global
and
we
look
at
things
globally
and
you
know
how
does
it
fit
to
the
comprehensive
plan?
B
The
traffic
impact
that's
huge
and
depending
on
what
part
of
the
city
you're
at
and
then
the
other
thing
that
we
do
is
we
make
sure
we
get
that
public
announcement,
public
notice
or
out
in
the
newspaper
we
post
the
properties
and
then
we
get
comments
and,
of
course
we
we
prefer.
If
you
give
us
written
comments,
we
will
be
glad
to
include
that
with
the
staff
report
for
the
Commission
so
that
they
can
/,
they
usually
goes
out
the
Friday
before
the
meeting
we
deliver
it
so
that
they
can
review
it
over
the
weekend.
B
But
if,
if
we
have
comments
too,
then
we
can
see
some
of
the
things
that's
going
to
come
up
in
the
meeting
and
we
also
develop
may
be
possible
recommendations
that
the
Commission
may
want
to
how
to
resolve
in
some
of
the
issues
and
comments
that
we've
gotten
through
that
process
of
public
notification
people
coming
in
and
reviewing
so
on
development
plans.
It's
kyle,
we
kind
of
handled
that
and
then
text
amendment
changes
to
the
zoning
ordinance
comprehensive
plan.
We
work
closely
with
them
doing
the
homework.
B
You
know,
there's
no
reason
to
reinvent
the
wheel
and
we'll
look
at
see
how
other
communities
are
handling
this
and
bring
that
information
into
the
Planning
Commission.
So
we
can
develop
that
path
forward
and
then
the
work
sessions
likely
as
says,
are
great.
You
bring
the
information
in
they
whittle
down
on
it.
Send
it
back
we'll
refine
a
little
bit
come
back
the
next
month,
they'll
discuss
it
refine
a
little
bit
more
we'll
go
back
and
then
they'll
get
something
that
the
Commission's
overall
feels
like
they're
comfortable
with
and
then
can
move
forward
with.
A
It,
okay,
you
you,
you
used
a
word
I!
Think
you
used
the
word
that
staff
recommends
to
the
Commission
I,
think
back
on
EDD,
Evans
and
I.
Think
that
was
one
of
aids
Jules.
He
never
seemed
to
take
aside.
He
recommended
what
the
law
stated
and
here's
the
options
Commission
and
that's
that's
your
rope,
correct.
B
C
Give
me
a
heads
up
if
there's
something
that
we
think
might
be
a
little
contentious
coming
up,
so
that
we
can
prepare
and
by
the
same
token,
if
I'm
getting
a
lot
of
citizen
input
on
something
after
he's,
put
a
sign
out
or
sent
Senate
notice
out.
I'll
give
him
a
heads
up
that
I'm
getting
a
lot
of
calls
on
this.
C
So
you
know
just
so
that
we're
not
blindsided
in
a
meeting,
because
that
makes
it
all
run
a
little
more
smoothly
and
that
that's
a
marvelous
working
relationship
and
everybody
on
his
staff,
which
which
is
growing,
and
we're
very
grateful
for
that.
Now,
because
it
was
pretty
lean
and
mean
for
a
while
there.
It.
C
B
B
A
A
C
C
Business
environment
is,
is
a
very
it's
it's
a
lifetime
so
anyway,
this
plan
is
not
an
ordinance,
but
what
it
does
is
it
forms
a
strategic
foundation
for
us
to
use
as
a
reference
point
when
we're
making
decisions
about
specific
applications,
because
it's
comprehensive
and
it
basically
says,
look
looking
at
this
huge
community
land
use
all
right.
Where
do
we
want
to
have
additional
parks?
Where
do
we
want
to
have
developments?
What
kind
of
corridors
do
we
want
to
have
for
business?
It's
a
very
global
it
nonspecific,
it
doesn't
say
we
you
know
we
want.
C
You
know
to
fast
food
places
here
it
isn't
that
a,
but
it
just
says
these
are.
These
are
the
kinds
of
directions
that
we
want:
the
city
to
grow
in
its
it's
tied,
a
lot
to
the
utilities,
because
that's
obviously
a
big
driving
force
and
and
then
once
that
is
formulated
and
approved,
and
we're
just
getting
ready
to
begin
that
process.
Now
for
this
go
round
on
it,
then
every
time
we
look
at
an
application,
we
reference
it
and
we
go.
Okay.
C
B
What
one
of
the
things
yeah
Liz
indicated
is
you
do
revisions
through
that
10-year
period
and
one
of
the
things
that
we
noticed
in
this
last
ten
year
period
was
we
were
getting
a
lot
of
utility
request
out
toward
the
interstate
and
expecting
some
growth
out
toward
the
interstate,
and
so
we
can't,
but
we
didn't.
Our
comprehensive
plan
did
not
go
out
that
far
so
so
we
did
a
Northside
plan
for
it.
So
we
could
have
a
comprehensive
plan
for
that
particular
area
of
our
utility
district
and.
A
C
A
A
C
You
know
I,
I
have
I've
been
an
ache
in
about
15
years
and
I
will
tell
you
that
it.
It
is
now
the
place
that
will
be
my
lifelong
home.
As
with
many
people
who
come
here,
it's
very
easy
to
fall
in
love
with
this
community.
I
fell
in
love
with
an
acre
night,
and
that
got
me
here,
but
you
know
I
have
since
fall
in
love
with
the
community.
C
It
has
been
a
wonderful
community
to
me
a
very
embracing
and
welcoming
committee
community,
and
this
is
for
me
it's
almost
a
labor
of
love
to
want
to
give
back,
and
I
do
think
you
know
my
my
interests
and
perhaps
some
skills
lend
themselves
to
this.
I
am
a
strategist,
I
am
a
planner
by
nature,
and
so
they
I
think
there's
kind
of
a
good
fit
and
I
love
doing
this.
I
really
have
enjoyed
this
now.
A
lot
of
people
might
know
it
sounds
dull,
but
it's
really
pretty
exciting.
C
A
A
B
C
C
Will
work
very
closely
in
fact,
I'm
going
to
suggest
that
you
know
when
this
person
is
on
board
that
we,
you
know,
make
sure
that
they
come
to
our
meetings
and
that
we
have
perhaps
a
little
debriefing
session
and
let
them
understand
what
we're
doing
it's
a
great
time,
because
we
can't
really
launch
the
this
big
ten
year
comprehensive
plan
review
and
that's
a
huge
that's
going
to
be.
You
know
more
than
a
year-long
effort
and
that's
that's
a
huge
commitment
for
us,
both
in
terms
of
time
and
energy
and
resources
so
we're.
C
A
Gonna
look
at
it
a
change
topic
just
a
little
bit
recently
we
had
Tom
wrap
on
a
show
and
Tom
took
us
through
everything
he
does
on
a
day-to-day
basis
with
him
and
his
crews
and
his
responsibilities.
I
believe
the
Planning
Commission
had
had
a
work
session.
If
you
will,
or
a
meeting
with
Tom,
take
us
through
that
and
what
happened
at
that
meeting
and
what
you
guys
talked
about
well,.
C
But
we
wanted
to
hear
his
perspective,
and
so
we
we
spent
the
majority
of
our
meeting
going
back
and
forth
with
what
what
kinds
of
things
could
we
do,
and
it
came
down
to
our
think,
our
understanding
that
we
need
to
give
business
owners.
In
particular,
you
know
the
web
developers
some
latitude
to
make
sure
that
everything
is
as
cohesive
as
originally
planned,
but
by
the
same
token,
I
tried
to
shift
the
focus
to
how
do
we
prevent
this
problem?
C
Now
as
it
stands
now,
there
is
a
list
of
think
seven,
basically,
seven
trees
that
you
can
have,
but
and
it
does
list.
This
is
how
high
they'll
grow,
and
this
is
there.
You
know
leaf
spanner
branch
span,
whatever
the
technical
term
is
and
I
thought,
but
that
doesn't
mean
much
to
most
people,
it's
just
a
dot
on
a
plan,
and
so
I
suggested
that
perhaps
we
consider
looking
at
some
clarification
of
you
know
if
you're
going
to
plant
this
tree
then
make
sure
it's
not
in
front
of
the
door
or
that
it.
C
You
know
that
because
it
will
touch
the
building
at
some
point
and
then,
if
it
gets
big
enough,
then
it's
protected
so
I
think,
because,
honestly,
in
all
fairness,
I
think
when
people
get
this
list,
they
take
that
list
to
some
place
like
coal,
creek
or
some
other
place
in
and
they
go,
which
is
the
cheapest
1i
can
get
I.
Really
think
that's
what
happens
and
then
they
realize.
Oh,
my
goodness.
C
Now
this
thing
is
blocking
my
sign
or
blocking
my
door
because
it
has
grown
so
much
so
you
know
I
think
that
what
we're
going
to
do
is
we're
going
to
come
back.
We
gave
Tommy
some
suggestions,
they're
going
to
rework
the
plan,
plan,
change
and
and
I'm
hoping
that
we're
going
to
be
able
to
add
to
that
that
when
it
comes
before
Tom
for
his
review,
or
even
initially,
when
we
hand
out
the
list
to
developers
and
owners
that
they
look
at
okay,
this
is
more
suited
for
this.
C
A
B
C
C
C
I
would
say
it's
really
twofold.
I
would
say
one
is
maintaining
that
balance.
I
was
speaking
of
between
how
we
have
economic
vitality
and
how
we
still
maintain
the
ambience,
but,
more
importantly,
or,
as
importantly,
probably
is-
I
would
love
to
see
more
community
engagement.
I
spoke
at
a
city
council
meeting
last
month
and
said
you
know
we
have
all
these
people
here
that
are
speaking
to
an
issue
and
I
wish.
C
Half
of
them
had
been
able
to
come
and
speak
with
us
first,
it
may
or
may
not
have
changed
our
vote
on
it,
but
we
would
have
welcomed
the
opportunity
a
lot
of
people
in
the
community.
Don't
really
realize
that
we're
there
that
we
are
perhaps
their
first
line
of
opportunity
to
weigh
in
on
an
issue.
So
for
me
the
vision
is
to
do
more
to
have
community
engagement
and
I.
Think
if
we
did
that,
then
we'd
certainly
be
in
great
shape
to
make
the
best
possible
recommendations
to
council
good.