It would be a mistake to exclude the public, not to keep the public informed or engaged on land
development code issues. The change in council
membership from 2010 should not result in a change of policy away from the precedent
of civic inclusion set in the years of he original council. The initial draft as well as any and all updates should be available on the Palmetto Bay official web site throughout the process. Transparency is not merely telling the property owners and public about the ordinance as it is enacted. Transparency is truly involving everyone in the process.
The 2012 Palmetto Bay council has begun work on what some council members are referring to as a “neighborhood Protection Ordinance.” No written details have been provided, but talk is of a 4 month moratorium period to create and implement this ordinance. This is not much time when you consider that any ordinance requires at least 2 readings at 2 separate council meetings and a public hearing. I assume that there will be at least one workshop, so you have now filled three of the four months. The council has not even enacted the moratorium yet, so they are really impacting 5 – 6 months at minimum if the true effect start date begins at passage of the Zoning In Progress Resolution (May 21, 2012).
Will there be no initial public workshop to obtain guidance and discuss
issues with the public before committing pen to paper? This process is also being started
essentially in June, after school summer break has begun, meaning much of the work
will occur when many are spending time with their children off from school both
in as well as out of town (for this reason, the original Palmetto Bay council
made it a policy not to hold zoning hearings during the late summer months).
I would like to know what this ordinance involves and am far from alone
in this concern/curiosity. This
ordinance could be an outstanding piece of legislation or it could have
profound detrimental unintended results for the taxpayers and property owners
of Palmetto Bay. The Land Development
Code impacts property rights. Proposals
to change the code should not be created in a vacuum or outside public view. This is not how open or
transparent government should behave.
Why keep residents and property owners in the dark? Everyone, regardless of whether they are non-resident
Palmetto Bay property owners and/or residents have a right to be involved in the
code writing process from the start. We cannot even begin to consider the potential impact until we look at the
details of the proposal. The original Palmetto Bay Land Development Code (completed 2009) was created after a significant
and long public process which included workshops, visioning sessions, meetings
with stake holders and involved residents and property owners, and public
hearings.
I assume this same initial transparent process will be followed by the current Palmetto Bay Council. I would be a travesty if this council departs from past models and rushes to enact a code that does not benefit from appropriate public participation.
I assume this same initial transparent process will be followed by the current Palmetto Bay Council. I would be a travesty if this council departs from past models and rushes to enact a code that does not benefit from appropriate public participation.
It is so cute that you actually think you can affect what this council does. Everyone knows the results. Mark my words: 3/2 vote tonight in favor of the zoning in progress. 3/2 vote next month on the moratorium and a final 3/2 vote on whatever this neighborhood protection ordinance turns out to be.
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