More Public Input on Projects Sought

Mayor Linda Parks said she will propose an ordinance requiring developers to hold at least one community meeting to show residents their projects and receive input prior to appearing before the Planning Commission.

Parks, a former planning commissioner, said she will ask the City Council to consider the proposal at the Oct. 19 council meeting.

“It will reduce the amount of time of hearings, but to me, the real issue is increasing public participation,” Parks said. Through public involvement and informal meetings, she said, “it’s early enough in the process that changes can be made so there may not be the concern you’d have if no changes are made.”

But mandating that developers hold public meetings is not necessary, said Dave Anderson, vice chairman of the Planning Commission, because most developers today are choosing to meet with people in the community.

“Most developers that come before us as a commission have already met with the public on their own,” Anderson said.

But Parks said such a policy needs to be made official so all developers meet with residents.

“I think that’s the difference here,” Parks said. “Many times, people are caught unaware that something is happening, and by the time it gets to the public hearing stage, it’s more difficult to make changes.”