Little enthusiasm for changing city council procedures for overturning a Planning & Zoning Commission decision

Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski's proposal to change the number of city council votes required to overturn a decision by the Planning & Zoning Commission gathered little enthusiasm at a city council work session Monday night.

Currently it takes six out of seven votes in order to overturn a P & Z recommendation.  The mayor originally proposed changing that to requiring a simple majority, but has backed off to a proposal to require two-thirds--or five out of seven votes.

City council member Johanna Bergan called the issue "a non-problem."  She urged the city council to keep the current six vote requirement.  She also argued against "picking just one (aspect)" of zoning rules to change at this time.  Additionally, Bergan said she appreciated the current system, which relies on Planning & Zoning Commission members who have knowledge about zoning issues that city council members might not have the time to acquire.

Council members Dan Bellrichard and Steve Luse also said they would not vote in favor of the change, while Ross Hadley said "It doesn't sound like there's the political will (to make a change)."

But city council member Kirk Johnson said he favors a two-thirds requirement because the current requirement gives too much power to just a couple of city council members.

No action was taken Monday on the issue because the meeting was a work session and not an official city council meeting.