|
Now, we've submitted and, for the Director's consideration, what we call the master plan. I think
<br /> Christian had shown what we have done, you know. We had Michael Riehm prepare what is called,
<br /> you know, this transect map and also this master plan, kind of revised master plan, basically
<br /> showing, you know, where your connectivity is, you know, connection orientations, so on and so
<br /> forth, they are there. The Director had summarily rejected that; he said like, no, you know, I'm
<br /> sorry, it doesn't pass the master, so you've got to go back to the drawing board. So, ultimately, what
<br /> happens is that the Director's position was that we plan to have like a master plan before we can
<br /> even come before this Planning Commission. Now, I ask yourself this, you know, like I think that's
<br /> - - - for the applicant is that it gives the Planning Director an enormous amount of discretionary - - -.
<br /> We can submit a new plan, and he can reject it. We can resubmit again, and they can reject it.
<br /> When will it end? That's the question, you know. When will it end? And how long is it going to
<br /> take? So, such that, you know, what we are fearful of is that it may come to a point where this
<br /> Commission may never see this application - - -, if we had agreed to that condition,
<br /> Now, the developer, or the applicant, is concerned like, you know, we wanted to have it processed
<br /> and met two criteria: One was it's got to be transparent; and, two, it's got to be fair, it's got to be - -.
<br /> So we had thus proposed—and it's shown in Condition X in Suffolk's and Condition Z in Puaa, you
<br /> know, which was transmitted in my October [sic] 3rd letter—what we had proposed was that we are
<br /> not dismissing the idea for need for master plan. We recognize, we know what the Planning
<br /> Director's saying. We are not, we are not saying it's not important. We are saying it's important.
<br /> But consider this: We are saying that we are having a master plan prepared, this is going to include
<br /> both properties. Now, this condition, you know, two ordinances, okay, you have a master plan that
<br /> includes both properties and addresses all of the elements that you are calling formix-uses,
<br /> walkable community, housing, phasing, whatever have you. So we need to still develop the master
<br /> plan that incorporates both plats, then to also consider that this is a Neighborhood TOD, Transit
<br /> Oriented Development, that's the master plan. Now, we are also proposing as a condition that there
<br /> is a three-day review period by the Design Center, and not like an interminable period; you'll never
<br /> know once you submit, when you come out. You know, there's got to be that kind of- - - in terms
<br /> of decision-making. And then, thirdly, then once you have this master plan reviewed, vetted, and
<br /> that would serve as a basis for Plan Approval. And let me tell you why you want to have it tied into
<br /> Plan Approval. Plan Approval is a process that basically enables the Planning Director to look at the
<br /> plan and make sure that it conforms with the General Plan, Community Development Plan, make
<br /> sure it conforms with the Zoning Code in terms of the setback, the height, the parking, so on and so
<br /> forth. And if there are any - - - conditions of rezoning approval, then they all have to be addressed.
<br /> That's your Plan Approval. So the Planning Director has to review that and then make a decision.
<br /> You know the beauty behind that process? Two things: One is that it gives transparent and
<br /> equitable—first of all, there is a 45-day time limit from the time the application is filed and the
<br /> decision-making - - -; two is that if the decision is adverse to the applicant, you know what happens,
<br /> at least the applicant can appeal the Planning Director's decision to say like it's arbitrary, capricious,
<br /> it's an abuse of discretion, so on and so forth. If you were to assume the Director's original position
<br /> of saying we want to have an approved master plan before we can appear before you guys, where is
<br /> the equity? Where is the, where is the liberty to say, no, we want to come back and see - - -with
<br /> you, Planning? But we don't have that opportunity. So what we are proposing here is a process that
<br /> address to see your master plan requirement, but at the same time,provides for transparency,
<br /> provides for minimal of abuse by the Planning Director. This is absolutely not at all to suggest that
<br /> 20
<br /> EXHIBIT C
<br />
|