Usually, the Planning Commission (PC) meets the first and third Monday of each month --before the Town Council meetings, which are held the next day.
Although the process for how PC recommendations are made to Town Council is being adjusted to allow the Town Council some time between public hearings, the related PC recommendation and taking a vote -- and this change had some people worrying about any time extensions -- this change isn't the reason the PC is not meeting this week.
Today, the Planning & Zoning Department and PC apparently got a by because the Town Council and town manager are attending the Virginia Municipal League conference. The PC's secretary already scheduled at least six upcoming public hearings and there are several significant initiatives in process as well, indicating plenty of work in the pipeline.
The PC was charged with revising the town's sign ordinance in May and preparing recommendations for historic district overlays in March. In addition to the general volume of other routine planning and zoning matters, the PC is also in the process of preparing a recommendation to Town Council relative to a vacancy on that commission.
If time is of the essence for matters coming before the PC, and therefore Town Council, one could presume more work sessions may be necessary. This would be based on the Planning & Zoning Department's ability to effectively and efficiently address related research and prepare reports, so the PC and Town Council have all the information needed for making recommendations and are enabled to take action, fully informed.
If timeliness is a valid concern, perhaps a review of the volume or complexity of work, or the processes and procedures of the Planning & Zoning Department is due.