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Joliene and others,
If it's any comfort, Winona is not alone in
having it's Planning Commission (and other other appointed bodies) often at odds
with the City Council. My experience with communities
around the State reveals a wide range of relationships, from close
collaboration and mutual respect to total alienation and disagreement
-- and everything in between. One suggestion is a face-to-face
workshop meeting at least annually between the Planning Commission and City
Council, so that all have an idea of what the others think. It doesn't
avoid all problems, but at least they are communicating. With almost all
City decisions, however, the "buck" stops with the City Council and they may
have their reasons and precedents for making decisions one way or the
other.
Phil Carlson, Mpls
To clarify a little, when WSU was planning to build the apartments on
Sarnia they went to the Board of Adjustments and requested a variance from the
requirements for off street parking for the students. The Board of
adjustments turned down the request. Then WSU took the matter to the
City Council and they approved the request. Thus overriding the
body that is designated to consider these requests.
The City Council doesn't seem to want to listen
to the review groups. The City Planning Commission has had similar
problems with recommendations being over turned. If the Council isn't
going to listen to the recommendations, maybe there is no need for these
groups. One wonders!
In regard to the issues of landlords and the
amount of off street required and provided, the City Planning Commission is
apparently going to be discussing this issue in the coming
months.
Joliene Olson
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