The Wayland City Planning Commission held its first meeting since last July 14 Tuesday evening via Zoom on the Internet and despite only four members attending got some things done.

The commission’s meetings have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 viral crisis and by confusion over whether virtual meetings could even be held. The four members who attended, constituting a quorum, were Chairman JD Gonzales, Mark Lyons, Gary Ragan and Ben Adams.

The one action taken was recommendation of approval for a special use permit for Lisa and Dean Banas, at their residence on Naman Court. Lisa is a former City Councilwoman and ex-officio member of the Planning Commission.

The couple was asking for permission to build a 768-foot garage/pole barn. The structure would be larger and taller than what is allowed in the city and the Banases said they want to keep the current 192-square-foot shed intact.

Zoning Administrator Lori Castello of Professional Code Inspections pointed out the shed did not need approval when it was built because it was under 200 square feet.

Castello then said, “I didn’t see anything (in the special use request) that caused great concern for me.”

The vote to recommend approval was 4-0 and it will be taken up by the City Council later this month.

In other business Tuesday night, the commission:

• Held a lengthy discussion on proposed amendments governing leasing and rental agreements for dwellings and accessory buildings. Another meeting will be held next month before the issue is taken to public hearing.
• Noted that clarification of the local sign ordinance is needed in the wake of several huge political candidate signs that appeared before the Nov. 3 general election. Commissioner Lyons said he wants to make sure the sign ordinance is in compliance with the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the matter.