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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,May 09, 2011 Page 5 Councilmember Johnson noted the need to address large and small lots throughout the community as well. Chair Boerigter asked that collectively, or individually, Councilmembers provide the Commission with their goals for establishing buffers, so the Commission is not just rely- ing on staff's recommendations, if the City Council was looking for greater buffer areas; and if Councilmembers were looking at creating a large lot district. Mayor Roe noted that the issue was not a simple one, with one solution to satisfy the City Council majority and community at large; as experienced over the last few years during numerous discussions. Councilmember McGehee questioned how the Commission felt about bringing issues of interest from their group to the City Council, since they represented the citizens rather than serving as a conduit between staff and the City Council; opining that she viewed their roles as representative of the community. If the Commission had ideas for the process, she expressed her interest in hearing from them; or if there were ideas or issues arising from Commission deliberations that Commissioners thought should be brought forward. Councilmember McGehee expressed her personal interest in revisiting Planned Unit Developments (PUD's) as a tool for specific applications for land stewardship; as well as an overlay district for large lots. Councilmember McGehee opined that the Commission was in a good position to initiate some things themselves and bring them forward. Chair Boerigter, based on his experience and involvement as a Planning Commissioner, opined that the Planning Commission role is not to initiate changes to code; and opined that it had never been their job, based on his understanding of the Commission's charge and direction from the City Council, as well as statutory provisions for a Planning Com- mission. Chair Boerigter noted that land use issues and considerations worked their way through staff and the City Council, and were then brought to the attention of the Planning Commission for their debate and recommendation, and an opportunity for public com- ment. Chair Boerigter opined that it was not the Commission's job to amend code or propose amendments; and if the Commission observed any problem areas, they commu- nicated that to the City Council through staff and sought authority and directive to move forward toward finding a solution. Chair Boerigter noted that the Commission was not charged with engaging the City Attorney to amend code without first having City Council support. Councilmember McGehee questioned to whom the Commission made their comments if, during the process, they found the need for corrective action; and how that was commu- nicated to the City Council. Chair Boerigter advised that those deliberations and those actions without consensus were duly reflected in the Commission's meeting minutes; providing specific points that the Commission, individually or corporately, recommended that the City Council provide