COM 0042.042 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

General Plan, a law enacted by this body in 1989, very clearly establishes public participation before a revision is written. Section 6, Ordinance 89-142, which we are discussing changing, states: "(2) In proceeding with the comprehensive review, the Planning Director shall give notice of the comprehensive review to the Planning Commission, Council, and the general public. The notice shall state: (a) The general scope of review; (b) The ability for the Public and Council to provide their input to the Planning Director within 45 days after the date of the notification. "(3) Upon receipt of suggestions from the public, the Planning Director shall review the General Plan, the assumptions upon which the policies were drawn, including the suggestions for change. Within 90 days the Planning Director may propose draft amendments, and shall give notification to the County Council and the public of any proposed amendments." (emphasis added) In Revision Draft 1 the public is mentioned but their 45 days to act before writing begins is left out of the process: "(2) The Planning Director shall give notice of the comprehensive review to the County Council, Planning Commission, and the general public. The notice shall state: (a) The general scope of review; (b) The ability for the Couatv Council, Planning Commission, and the general public to provide their comments and suP,aestions to the Planning Director and (c) The initiation date, schedule of events, and time for completion of the review period. "(3) Upon completion of the review period, the Planning Director shall conduct public workshops on the proposed amendments. "(4) The public shall be afforded 60 days from the date of the Iast public workshop to provide comments to the Planning Director." In other words, the public gets to comment only after the Planning Deparment writes the Revision. That is what happened -illegally in Draft 1, before you. If you pass it you will incorporate illegal acts as law and endorse the Planning Department's open and cynical refusal to obey. What is going on here? ---Bill Eger, Page 2 2