The Goochland County Board of Supervisors has requested the resignations of all 10 members of the county Planning Commission.

In a letter sent via email and regular mail dated Jan. 23, 2012, the supervisors requested each member of the planning commission resign and submit a letter of resignation to county administrator Rebecca T. Dickson no later than Feb. 3, 2012, effective April 1, 2012.

The letter says: “The Board of Supervisors is requesting the resignation of all Planning Commission members for several reasons. First, it is our belief that the composition of the Planning Commission is currently too large. The Board believes that reducing the number of members on the Commission will save the County money in the administration and operation of the Planning Commission. Reducing the size of the Planning Commission will also place the Commission in a better position to assist the County in its efforts at economic development as the economy improves. In addition to the other procedural changes contemplated by the Board, having a smaller and more nimble Planning Commission will allow the County to better address the planning and zoning needs of our citizens in a more timely fashion.”

“This was not a spur of the moment decision,” said Ned Creasey, chairman of the Board of Supervisors by phone Jan. 24. “It was actually discussed during the recent election campaign.

“The idea to reduce the planning commission from 10 to 5 members was first discussed several years ago,” Creasey said. “At that time, we didn’t have enough support on the Board of Supervisors to make the change.”

The County will save money by reducing the size of the commission and one commissioner said he would serve without the stipend.

“We receive a small stipend for each meeting we attend,” said Ty Querry, a District 2 commissioner. “I believe the stipend is $144 for every meeting, and I would serve on the planning commission as a volunteer without the stipend.”

Querry said he had not talked to Manuel Alvarez Jr., the District 2 member of the Board of Supervisors.

“Right now, I don’t intend to resign,” Querry said. “I haven’t talked to my supervisor about this and want more information before I decide.”

Courtney Hyers, the chair of the Planning Commission and a District 5 commissioner, said she had received the letter and hadn’t decided about whether or not she will resign.

Lowe Lunsford III, the other District 5 commissioner, said he had received the letter and already submitted his resignation.

“I talked briefly with my supervisor [Ken Peterson] about this recently,” Lunsford said. “We are appointed and I believe the board members should be able to appoint commissioners to serve in their districts.”

Lunsford’s term expires on April 1, the day his resignation takes effect. He has served on the planning commission for six years and indicated that although he would accept reappointment, he would rather not continue on the planning commission.