Ordinances & Department Regulations @ Public Meetings

Whitewater’s last Planning Commission meeting was a week ago, Monday (10.13.14). 

I’ve two suggestions:

First, it would be a good idea to keep a copy of Whitewater’s ordinances and regulations available at the meeting. 

It may be that a city employee cannot recall a certain requirement or provision of our local law.  That’s not surprising; we have many regulations.

The easiest fix is to keep a indexed copy of our ordinances or other policy documents on hand: at-the-moment inquiry would be possible for simple, matter-of-fact-questions.

There may be some reluctance to look up a simple provision on the spot, as some might fear it suggests an embarrassing ignorance.  Strictly, it does suggest ignorance, but not embarrassing ignorance: one should  only be disappointed by not trying. 

It’s much better in appearance and result to take a moment to consult a book than it is to say, “I can’t recall.”  The latter adds nothing to participants’ knowledge; the former leaves participants knowledgeable.  

Second, there will also be times when a city department not present may need to evaluate part of a proposal.  These evaluations should be arranged, when possible, without the need for a return visit to the Planning Commission. Planning approval can and should be conditioned on a subsequent and satisfactory evaluation (by, for example, the Fire Department over basic code requirements).

There’s (needlessly) reduced value in having rewritten our zoning laws only to delay planning decisions through repeated appearances before the Planning Commission.  

The commissioner who suggested an approach that didn’t require a return recommended sensibly. We are neither a sluggish county nor a large city.  Candidly, for government oversight, most counties and cities should act less like counties and large cities.

One last point, always worth making: every time a commissioner suggests a change or addition to a plan, he or she adds an additional expense for the applicant, if even the cost of revising a plan.  These costs accumulate quickly, and when they do a planning commission becomes, in effect, a taxing commission. 

Some commissioners see this, and evidently understand that they’ve an authority that should be exercised sparingly.  Others most certainly do not see it this way, and are cavalier about demanding changes that are at bottom costs forced on private businesses. 

If these changes are not for health or safety, they’re lower order in need, but sadly no less costly to applicants.