To: County Planning Commissioners
Re. Streamlining Amendments – 1st Hearing County PC
Good afternoon Chair and Commissioners:
I am speaking today on behalf of the membership of CPA. Earlier today, Mr. Marc Chytilo presented our list of concerns about the streamlining amendments being studied today. Mr. Chytilo looked at the details being proposed. I am going to focus on process and policies.
CPA watched both workshops and the May 12th BOS hearing when staff went to the Board for direction. At no time during the staff presentation did I hear a time certain from the Board. Staff mentioned several times they wanted this done by the end of the year. So once again, CPA is asking for more time for the public to educate itself on the changes being proposed.
CPA also attended the two Montecito PC hearings. At the first hearing, we heard most speakers asking for more time and more details for what is being proposed. Fortunately, the MPC asked for another meeting and this was allowed. It granted the Montecito residents another five hours of discussion. There was also a public meeting at the Montecito Association by staff. By the end of the second hearing, the MPC voted on the amendments with the changes they suggested.
All today’s questions need to be answered before a decision is made. Commissioners are asking for a list of changes, as CPA has asked since the beginning. We believe this item needs to be continued for at least one more session so staff has time to create the charts/lists required. Commissioners need to have enough information to make findings to accept or reject these amendments.
Outreach to the public has not been very successful. Only three speakers total attended and spoke at the workshops. I saw in today’s online Edhat one press release about these hearings and it was published after the MPC meetings.
In closing, CPA asks for more time to study and discuss these amendments.
Mary Ellen Brooks
President, Citizens Planning Association