PTC Council takes heat off staff for ‘advocacy’ role

The Peachtree City Council on Jan. 21 at the request of city staff made minor changes to the public hearing structure to have staff presentations come prior to those speaking in favor of or against a request.

City Clerk Betsy Tyler in a Jan. 15 letter said the ordinance governing the conduct of public hearings before the City Council and the Planning Commission currently calls for the staff presentation with either those supporting or those opposing the request under consideration.

“This places staff in a position of advocating for or against a request before the hearing body,” said Tyler.

Tyler said the proposed amendment would remove the staff presentation of the request from the pro and con discussion.

“A staff assessment of compliance with the city’s ordinances would then be provided in lieu of a staff recommendation, leaving the applicant to serve as the advocate for the request and the members of the hearing body as the arbiters of the matter,” said Tyler.

Tyler said the amendment also includes staff among those authorized to ask questions during the public hearing itself, and acknowledges that the hearers (including members of the City Council or the Planning Commission) may ask questions at any point in the process.

The council vote was unanimous and came with no discussion.