How can I comment on a proposed project?

The Hearings Board, Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission all have monthly public hearings for projects placed on their agendas. Meeting agendas are posted online and information about the projects is sent out through required legal notice procedures and through the Neighborhood Notification Initiative. Anyone may attend a board or commission meeting and comment on record about a proposed project, as follows:

  • Hearings Board Any person may address the Hearings Board concerning the item under consideration for up to three minutes. The petitioner may speak for up to ten minutes. A person may register with the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting to speak for up to ten minutes.

    Written comment: Can be submitted any time prior to the meeting.
  • Historic Preservation Commission Any person may address the Historic Preservation Commission concerning the item under consideration for up to three minutes. The petitioner may speak for up to ten minutes. All speakers must state their name and home address upon approaching the podium to speak.

    Written comment: If you are not able to attend the public meeting, you may submit comments in writing. In order to have written comments reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to their vote on an item, submit 10 copies of your letter or other document, including your name and address, to the Planning Department no later than one week before the meeting.
  • Planning Commission Any person may address the Planning Commission concerning the item under consideration for up to three minutes. The petitioner may speak for up to ten minutes. A “specified interest group”, such as a representative for a neighborhood, may speak for up to ten minutes only if they register with the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. All speakers must state their name, home address and occupation upon approaching the podium to speak.

    Written comment: If you are not able to attend the public meeting, you may submit comments in writing. In order to have written comments reviewed by the Planning Commission prior to their vote on an item, submit 15 copies of your letter or other document, including your name and address, to the Planning Department no later than noon the day before the meeting.
  • Because projects submitted for Plans Review are reviewed under existing zoning regulations, a public hearing is not required. Anyone may attend a Plans Review meeting to observe.

Show All Answers

1. How does the Planning Department provide notice to the public about zoning & development issues?
2. What kinds of projects require public notification?
3. If I have received a public notice, how do I find out more information about that specific project?
4. How can I comment on a proposed project?
5. Do I need a permit for a fence?
6. Do I need a permit for a storage shed?
7. May I operate a business out of my home?
8. What do I need to know to operate a mobile food (or food truck) vendor unit?