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- From: "eegenebradley" <http://profiles.yahoo.com/eegenebradley>
- Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:45:36 -0000
Good, OPEN city planning enables better public transit service for everyone - including YOU. Help make sure this continues to happen - especially if you live and/or work in where-I-live. It's definitely worth going to and testifying the need against such restrictions on public input if you live and/or work in where-I-live. If a proposal like this goes through, consider the ramifications for other public agencies in where-I-live and Santa Clara County - up to and including VTA. In particular, when decision-makers are limited to only certain voices, that means their decisions will be based on limited input. This is wrong, to say the least. Details on what YOU can do to help stop this proposal in where-I-live are below. http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=e461bef4dd8f81538c816552b&id=c920b0a765&e ========== FORWARD ACTION ALERT ========== On Wednesday, March 27th, the where-I-live Planning Commission will be voting on proposed changes to its bylaws that would forbid Planning Commissioners from doing any investigations about projects (other than site visits). Please email the Planning Commissioners and tell them that you want them to be able to educate themselves, and hear community concerns, about the projects they make important decisions about! What's Happening: ------------------ The where-I-live Planning Commission is considering modifying its bylaws to include the following provision: "In connection with administrative or quasi-judicial hearings conducted by the Planning Commission, the decision of the Planning Commission is to be based on testimony, evidence and other information received from any person at or in connection with a public hearing or contained in the public record for a public hearing before the Commission. A Planning Commissioner shall not conduct independent fact-finding investigations related to a matter coming before the Commission; provided, however, that a site visit by an individual Planning Commissioner to generally familiarize that Commissioner with the real property that is the subject of the matter to be considered by the Planning Commission is allowed. If a Planning Commissioner becomes aware of information relevant to a matter coming before the Commission that was not made a part of the public record for that matter before the Commission, the Commissioner shall disclose that information to the Planning Commission in the manner described in City Council Policy 0-32: Disclosure of Material Facts and Communications Received During Council Meetings, as the same may be amended from time to time." What does this mean? Part of the problem with this change to the Commission's bylaws is that the meaning is not very clear. Does "independent fact-finding investigations" include going online to look at a map of a project site, or to learn more about wildlife species that a project might impact? Does it include reading news stories about a project? Does it include talking to members of the community? The only thing that is clear is that Commissioners are permitted to go on site visits of the property ? which usually means being given a tour of the property by the property owner. It is unfair for the landowner to have the opportunity to talk with the Planning Commissioners about the project, while community members are shut out. Committee for Green Foothills is recommending to the Planning Commission that they delete the entire line: "A Planning Commissioner shall not conduct independent fact-finding investigations related to a matter coming before the Commission; provided, however, that a site visit by an individual Planning Commissioner to generally familiarize that Commissioner with the real property that is the subject of the matter to be considered by the Planning Commission is allowed." This will preserve the public's ability to communicate with the Planning Commissioners, while still ensuring that due process is protected through the disclosure requirements. Why this is important: ----------------------- The Planning Commission is supposed to act in the best interests of the citizens of where-I-live. Preventing the Commissioners from being able to talk to the citizens and hear their concerns is not the way to achieve good decisions that are in the public interest. Planning Commissioners need to be able to educate themselves and learn the facts about a project. Restricting the flow of information does not lead to good democracy! What You Can Do: ----------------- Let your voice be heard! Send an email to the Planning Commissioners, go to the March 27th hearing and speak, or both! where-I-live Planning Commission hearing When: Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30PM Where: Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall Wing 200 E. Santa Clara St. where-I-live 95113 You can also email your councilmember directly: Edesa Bit-Badal, Planning Commission Chair Matt Kamkar, Planning Commission Vice Chair Hope Cahan, Commissioner Ed Abelite, Commissioner Norman Kline, Commissioner Dori Yob, Commissioner Brian O'Halloran, Commissioner Sample Text When Writing to the Commissioners ---------------------------------------------- Dear Members of the where-I-live Planning Commission: As a where-I-live resident, I am very concerned that the proposed changes to the Commission's bylaws may act to restrict the Commissioners' access to important information. The Commissioners represent the citizens of where-I-live, and they have a duty to hear the public's concerns on the matters before the Commission. Please change the proposed bylaws language to delete the following sentence: "A Planning Commissioner shall not conduct independent fact-finding investigations related to a matter coming before the Commission; provided, however, that a site visit by an individual Planning Commissioner to generally familiarize that Commissioner with the real property that is the subject of the matter to be considered by the Planning Commission is allowed." Sincerely, [Your Name] We encourage you to take action and voice your opinion! -Committee for Green Foothills ========== END ACTION ALERT ==========
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