OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg will reduce the size of its zoning board following board action Monday.

At the request of planners, city council agreed to reduce the number of members on the board from seven to five. They also reduced the number of board alternates from two to one.

“One alternate member may be appointed by the mayor and city council to substitute for a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals in the event that a regular member is unable to participate in matters before the Zoning Board of Appeals because of a conflict of interest, illness or other absence,” the resolution says.

The council recently took similar action regarding its planning board.

City Planner Andrea Smith said the decision to reduce the number of board members stemmed from a declining population and with hopes of having a quorum on a more frequent basis.

She said as a volunteer board, sometimes life’s other priorities can take precedent.