June 30, 2009
Sara Green, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 4B01 - ANCSaraGreen@yahoo.com
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE 2006 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Attachment Two
1. Name of General Area/Location/Site affected by this proposed TEXT amendment
The
communities within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B01, including Takoma and
Upper
2. In which of the following "significant change" categories does the proposed TEXT amendment fail? - Other
3. Description of Change and Text of Proposed Amendment
A Planning Commission Feasibility Study should be completed within the next two years. Should that study not recommend a planning commission, the Mayor and the City Council should reorganize the Office of Economic Development and establish procedures and policies that ensure that the Office of Planning will operate separately and independently from the Office of Economic Development. Planners should be encouraged to make recommendations based on sound planning practice without considering the whether the city or a developer will obtain revenue from the project.
4. Element, Page, and Citation of Proposed TEXT Amendment
5. How is the issue addressed in the 2006 Plan? If not in the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, please state why the issue should be included in the Plan.
The 2006 Comprehensive
Plan proposes the study but does not offer an alternative or a deadline for the study's completion.
6. Why is the proposed change the best way to meet the public need?
Decisions from the Office of Planning have often focused on the economic benefits to developers at the expense of basic planning principles and community needs. Many other cities have recognized this conflict and have established independent planning agencies to help eliminate potential conflict of interest and boost the professionalism of their planning staffs.
Often, there is no intent to benefit a business at the expense of residents. However, Offices of Economic Development are designed to attract new business as their primary goal.. Professional planners often must say "no." There's a basic conflict in putting the two agencies together.
7. Please describe any other options for meeting this need.
There are no other options, in my view. Either establish the Planning Commission or find another way to provide for an independent Office of Planning.
8. Please describe the impact(s) of the proposed TEXT change. Why will the proposed change result in an overall (or net) benefit to the city or community?
An independent Office of Planning or a Planning Commission will give the city better and more professional urban planning. The Office of Economic Development can testify before the Planning Commission and make its own, separate case in support or opposition to any given project. Also, many of my constituents believe that developers have an undue influence over planning in this city. An independent Office of Planning or a Planning Commission will help to change this perception.
9. How does the proposed change conform to the goals, policies and actions of the current Comp Plan?
The Comp Plan seeks to provide professional urban design and planning that creates a better city for everyone. An independent Office of Planning or a Planning Commission supports these goals.