Comments on: Contributor Opinion By Noreen Bryan: Development Review Process Unfair To Citizens

By: Max Braun

Max Braun — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:49:38 +0000

Have you all seen the presentation on the Green Building Code?The City environmental staff claims that there will not be an increased cost of construction associated with building a new home or even adding an addition to your house. I suggest everyone look into this proposed regulation prior to the adoption this fall.

By: Max van Balgooy

Max van Balgooy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:21:56 +0000

I do applaud the requirement in the new zoning code that major development projects hold a community meeting–it’s an important way to ensure the neighborhood is informed and we can discuss options and concerns before decisions are final. However, I’ve been to a couple of these community meetings and they’re a disappointment. I’ve encountered locked doors, insufficient seats, no agenda, but worst of all, no facilitator–no neutral party to manage the meeting, ensure everyone’s voice is heard, and prepare an agenda and minutes. As a result, the meeting is disorganized, a few people dominate the discussion while others are ignored, little is accomplished, and everyone gets frustrated. To be successful and productive, these meetings must be held in neutral places (not the developer’s office) that are conducive to large discussions and led by a skilled facilitator. These are highly charged meetings and require more than just leaving it to the developer to manage (they usually don’t have the skill to do it right and are typically biased in their perspective, thus establishing an environment of conflict from the start). I hope that City staff or elected officials will take the opportunity to attend so they can evaluate these meetings and develop a different approach so that we can work better together.

By: Alice Liu

Alice Liu — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:59:13 +0000

I collaborated with Noreen on drafting this posting. Just to make clear, the “three minute” limitation and the other points of lack of parity and equal time have existed, but what makes this especially egregious is that now the City is enforcing the “ex parte” rule, which states that once a formal application is filed, there can be no comment on the application outside of the public hearings. In the past citizens could speak about it at Citizens Forum and Mayor and Council drop-ins. Citizens could meet with council members. Now these options are off the table. Also keep in mind that if citizens want to present sketches, presentations, etc., it must be made within the three minute time limit. Meanwhile developers and city staff can present for hours. The Mayor and Council Rules of procedure say that “all parties are afforded an equal opportunity tocomment and address issues and facts that are raised in a particular case, thereby better enablingthe Mayor and Council to formulate its decision based upon the record” but this is not the case! See page 7 of http://www.rockvillemd.gov/government/mc/mc_rules_of_procedure.pdf.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:27:55 +0000

As a Rockville resident, I believe I receive notice about development change status hearings, close to where I live. However, if citizens only get 3 minutes to express their opinions, then the comment by JJ seems on the mark. Citizens should see how each City Councilmember and Mayoral candidates how they feel about this and then we citizens should vote accordingly. I agree with Ms. Bryan that 3 minutes is too brief, and I will ask potential City Councilmembers and potential Mayoral candidates about this, and it will be included as part of why I will vote the way I will.Also, it would even be better if potential City Councilmembers and potential Mayoral candidates would express their views here on how they feel about citizens having only 3 minutes to comment.

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:29:43 +0000

Ms Bryan’s opinion piece spells out clearly what is a one-way street that favors everyone but city residents. In the 2007 City election, some tried to highlight how developers have significant sway and access with and to elected officials and City staff. Those making accusations were branded as running a “dirty” campaign. What Ms Bryan points out is exactly what many were afraid would happen. The taxpayers in our City are afforded less and less opportunity to speak out against plans that favor development over quality of life. We continue to pay more and get less. Perhaps that message will resonate a bit louder and clearer this November when vote are cast for a new Mayor and Council.