Transfer of CUP authority (Item 22)

Chamber of Commerce president asked the council to study streamlining with the business community before removing the zoning administrator, warning the change could slow and raise costs for new businesses.

Longtime resident called the item a power grab and criticized the single-voice Planning Commission, invoking transparency concerns on St. Patrick's Day.

Planning commissioner with 40 years in civil engineering said the change is the opposite of a power grab and that discretionary CUPs belong with a commission; also criticized ADU parking exemptions.

Spoke in support of Burns' item, saying Planning Commission review ensures fair hearings and transparency; urged a yes vote.

Questioned the lack of stated reasons for the change, asked staff to confirm it won't affect routine home improvement permits, and suggested it's a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Said the single-paragraph item gives no reasons or impact analysis, noted other Orange County cities use zoning administrators, and asked the council to vote it down or table it.