Title
Vote to implement the Revised Term Expiration Dates Established by the Ordinance Amending the Ordinance Establishing a Planning Board
Abstract
Introduction & Background: On October 20, 2025, the Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the Ordinance Establishing a Planning Board. Among the changes approved was a revision to the Planning Board member term cycle. The amended ordinance changed member terms to begin on March 1 and expire on February 28 or 29 of the applicable year, rather than expiring on December 31.
To implement the approved ordinance and align all current Planning Board appointments with the new term structure, the Board of Commissioners must formally revise the expiration dates of current Planning Board member terms. The revised dates ensure consistency with the Planning Board Ordinance and provide a standardized transition period for future appointments and reappointments.
Discussion & Analysis: The Planning Board consists of eleven members appointed by the Board of Commissioners, including two members recommended from each commissioner district and one at-large member appointed by the full Board.
Under the revised ordinance, members whose terms were previously scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, will now expire on February 28, 2027. Members whose terms were previously scheduled to expire on December 31, 2028, will now expire on February 28, 2029. This adjustment does not alter the composition of the Planning Board or the length of service intended by prior appointments. Instead, it aligns all current appointments with the new March-to-February term schedule established by the amended ordinance.
Current Members and New Terms:
|
Type |
First Name |
Last Name |
Original Appointment |
Date Term Expires |
New Term Expires |
|
District 1 Recommendation |
Mary |
Roodkowsky |
1/21/2025 |
12/31/2028 |
2/28/2029 |
|
District 1 Recommendation |
Clyde |
Frazier |
1/21/2025 |
12/31/2028 |
2/28/2029 |
|
District 2 Recommendation |
Robin |
Lyons |
1/21/2025 |
12/31/2028 |
2/28/2029 |
|
District 2 Recommendation |
Stephen |
Powers |
3/17/2025 |
12/31/2028 |
2/28/2029 |
|
District 3 Recommendation |
Nelson |
Smith |
12/18/2023 |
12/31/2026 |
2/28/2027 |
|
District 3 Recommendation |
George |
Cianciola |
4/21/2025 |
12/31/2026 |
2/28/2027 |
|
District 4 Recommendation |
Gini |
Bell |
12/15/2025 |
12/31/2026 |
2/28/2027 |
|
District 4 Recommendation |
Whitney |
Schmidt |
8/17/2026 |
12/31/2026 |
2/28/2027 |
|
District 5 Recommendation |
Eric |
Andrews |
1/19/2021 |
12/31/2026 |
2/28/2027 |
|
District 5 Recommendation |
Adam |
Feher |
3/17/2025 |
12/31/2026 |
2/28/2027 |
|
Full Board |
Elaine |
Chiosso |
1/21/2025 |
12/31/2028 |
2/28/2029 |
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The Planning Board serves an important role in reviewing and making recommendations related to land use, development, and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Maintaining an organized and consistent appointment structure supports effective governance and enables the Board to continue providing informed recommendations regarding growth and development within Chatham County.
Budgetary Impact: There is no budgetary impact associated with updating the Planning Board member term expiration dates.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve the revised term expiration dates for current Planning Board appointments to implement the term structure established by the Ordinance Amending the Ordinance Establishing a Planning Board.