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r Boa 95 ou 882 1 residents in plan evaluation, utilizing the technical knowledge and expertise of individuals, groups and organizations within the county. As proposed, the public participation plan would rely on existirfg County committees to obtain public input and to advise the Planning and Zoning Commission which is the county's established local planning agency. DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS Any successful program for public participation must be clearly formulated and contain opportunities for: public education; public review and comment; and public discussion and input. These objectives were considered by staff in developing the proposed public participation plan. As structured, the public participation program is divided into several components. These components are: public information (an ongoing activity), EAR preparation, and EAR adoption. Each of these phases will involve public meetings, workshops, public hearings, and other activities. The Planning and Zoning Commission, as the County's designated local planning agency (LPA), has responsibility for preparing the comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal report and, as such, for public participation activities. As proposed, the Planning and Zoning Commission would coordinate all plan review activities; however, EAR public participation activities relating to specific plan elements would be assigned to existing committees which focus on areas relating to specific plan elements. An example of this would be the Marine Advisory Committee coordinating review and public input of the coastal zone and conservation elements of the comprehensive plan. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS The proposed public participation plan focuses on existing.groups. The proposal provides for a detailed public participation plan; it allows for participation of Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commission members in the process; it incorporates an on-going public information program; and it ensures public participation in the process. Although the Planning and Zoning Commission has the responsibility to prepare the comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal report and establish a public participation program, the proposed program involves using other committees to advise the Planning and Zoning Commission. To implement the recommended plan, the Board of County Commissioners will need to delegate responsibility for Evaluation and Appraisal Report preparation to those existing committees referenced in the attached public participation plan document. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the proposed public participation plan. Commissioner Eggert asked that Appendix "D" (page 13 of the Plan) be amended to show November for the meetings of the Economic Development Council and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. In response to Commissioner Bird's question, Director Keating advised that the County Commission had final authority for acceptance of the Plan. He then explained how changes recommended 34 August 8, 1995