2007-05-09 Board of Ethics Minutes Regular Session

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Board of Ethics Minutes of Regular Session May 9, 2007 WJ: Excuse me Bobby Jean, can we take care of this motion first. We do have a motion and a second, and members, if there is no further discussion then all in favor of rejecting this petition say aye. Vote: All members voted aye; motion carried. AL: But, this is really interesting. WJ: Yeah, and we invited you to join in and take part in this discussion as well. BT: I just wanted to address process because in the past there would usually be someone from the department. Under Chris' tenure, Chris has almost invariably attended all the Planning Committees and many of the council meetings when there is a rezoning request, to answer any questions that the county council has and to provide input on the department's recommendations. I would suspect that the record would reflect that that is how he appeared there, in his role as the planning director. My understanding, too, is that the reasons given for recommending the variance is that there is an old, stone wall and a tree that they don't want to have cut down, is that it? JW: Yes, ma'am. That were their reasons, yes. BT: Okay, so you have already voted and motioned, but I kinda wanted to put it into context in terms of what was occurring and the process. Also, if you are opposed to the variance your best avenue is to drum -up support in the community because Mr. Jacobson is one vote, and the council has shown that they are very receptive to members of the community. You might also find when you go out that there are some people that want to save the tree. JW: The tree in question is a banyan tree and it is not that old, and there are two of them. BT: I'm just saying that you will find that sometimes communities will respond differently and have different reasons, but if you want to get your sidewalk, your best bet is to have public support showing that that is what you want. Show up at that hearing and demonstrate to the council that that is what the community wants, and the council most likely will take that into consideration. JW: If I can clarify, Bruce McClure, he recommended the sidewalk, and after it passed his desk then the variance was granted by the Planning Commission. I guess we are not here to argue all the nuts - and - bolts. WJ: Mr. Warren, thank you for coming in. We appreciate it. JD: Good luck. JW: Thank you.