SEQUIM — City leaders are considering changing a quirk in the way some development projects are approved.
It’s a quirk that can leave the City Council out of the planning loop until construction has already started and leaves citizens frustrated because their elected officials can’t do anything to stop a controversial project.
In discussing the potential change, city officials have said that no current developments would be affected and that the existing process for analyzing projects works.
It also, however, vests initial approval of major subdivisions and binding site plans with the Planning Commission, an advisory board appointed by the council.
The council does play a role in issuing final approval for a project. But that approval can come when, for example, the roads and sidewalks are already installed and it’s too late to ask for changes.
Council members said that as the elected body overseeing city government, their participation should be more meaningful.
The topic is on the agenda for the council’s work session at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
