I was a little confused by Barry's response on the topic of deliberations and vote of the zoning committee. I'm wondering what you folks think.
Barry wrote about zoning committee deliberations. But he described a process that seemed to end with the comment period by "guests." When exhaustion sets in, an informal ending of the Feb 13 zoning meeting will take place. But it is completely unclear when the actual deliberations and vote will be observed! In today's UC Review listing, there is also a comment about deliberations and the notice asserts that the comments from community members will be considered during these. How does the usual SHCA process work? Are they going to be announcing an additional time, date, and location for deliberations and the vote? A separate public meeting to watch the conclusion?? That seems very strange. But I don't see in Barry's description of the process, a time slot for deliberations and vote. Am I interpreting his response correctly? Does it seem like there must be a separate community meeting scheduled to watch deliberations and the committee vote? People won't want to come out to a 2nd meeting just to watch the conclusion. Nevertheless, they are going to demand to watch and listen to the deliberation portion of the process! The committee members are representing our neighborhood in a policy vote that often appears to come with the approbation of the larger community. The deliberations are the most important part in the relationship between the zoning committee and our community. This will be the portion of the process when the people get to watch and know their comments have been considered by the individuals or firms represented on the zoning committee. People no longer trust that they're voices are heard when so much back room dealing takes place prior to corporate agendas being exposed to the public. I'm certainly tired of hearing, "we hear you" when the history demonstrates that public comment is rarely considered and that the outcome had been pre-determined. And that leads to a feeling of helplessness, which I've heard described by local citizens. Does anyone know how and when SHCA zoning conducts this deliberation process and vote? Should I ask Barry? Thoughts? Glenn
