Land use commissions win bid to stay at City Hall

The three most prominent land use commissions have prevailed in their attempt to continue meeting at City Hall. Facing an unwanted move to the new Permitting and Development Center in the Highland Mall redevelopment, members of the Planning Commission, Zoning and Platting Commission, and Board of Adjustment fought the move tooth and nail. After pulling all the procedural stops to halt the move, the bodies held a joint meeting in November, where they faced off against city staffers who insisted the move was necessary to relieve overcrowded meeting rooms at City Hall. A memo released on Friday, however, indicates city staff gave in to the demands. Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales said, “At this time, staff will not be pursuing moving the meeting locations for BOA, ZAP and PC,” though he did not explain the change of course. Gonzales emphasized that he still has “every confidence that the (PDC) can successfully accommodate all meetings.” City Council was supposed to decide the matter on Jan. 27.