EAR - Can You Hear?

Tonight the Planning Board reviewed the draft of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) - long title for suggested changes to our Comprehensive Plan. The most discussion was generated about Laurel Park.

Kate Lowman, Julliett Reynolds, Ed Chase and Bruce Franklin all spoke eloquently about the draft recommendation to keep the same land use currently in place, and not change to the new Downtown Code. All of these people live in Laurel Park. And yes, it was that Bruce Franklin, the developer's agent, actually siding with the residents. In public! In front of the Planning Board! Wow!

As described in a previous post, the residents living in Laurel Park have overwhelmingly indicated their preference to keep the current land use classification and zoning as it represents the best way to protect this neighborhood.

It was interesting to hear Bruce Franklin speaking as a resident and presenting the case for keeping the status quo. Mr. Franklin was involved in crafting the current land use classification and zoning in the early 90's and says that what has resulted is exactly what the city and residents wanted to happen. He echoed the other residents by saying "Stop! Leave us alone!" at any hint of suggestions to change the zoning.

Of course Diana Hamilton again brought up her pitch to change the neighborhood to allow more surface coverage, higher houses, more density and more commercial - all of which have been rejected by more than 3/4 of the residents. And we read in today’s SHT, Devin Rutkowski’s (the "premier" Laurel Park developer) pitch to change Laurel park so he can build higher, build more and commercialize.

Later in the discussion Planning Board chair, Michael Shelton asked of the Planning staff "How can we put this issue to bed? So it doesn’t keep coming back?" We all know what the residents want, why keep bringing it up again? We all agree with them. How do we put it to bed?

So what happens? New board member Shawn Fulker raising the issue again. He indicated that he had spoken with the residents and was glad to hear "the other side" of the issue (apparently he had only heard the developer side until then). He said that while he understood perfectly the residents desire to preserve what they had, he first questioned whether the "sampling" was high enough to really indicate the residents’ desire. Further, he said he thought the best way to "protect" the neighborhood was to first change to the downtown neighborhood land use then look at a secondary change to the interior of the neighborhood - apparently to allow higher houses, commercial and more density on the edges.

Apparently Mr Fulker couldn’t hear the residents very well and he couldn’t hear the rest of the board and planning staff. He certainly listened to the developers quite well. Time and time again the residents say clearly what they want. However those whose interests are speculating and profiting from changing land use for their own personal benefit do not hear the residents, they listen only to the dollar.

For openers, it does not appear that Mr. Fulker will listen to all sides of the issue. Instead it appears that his interest is narrowly defined and was set before the public hearing. We hope he can become more open and listen to the residents. Otherwise we will be heading down a troubling path.