Today, we continue our discussion of the 2005 general plan. Oro Valley Resident Bill Adler observed the following during the call to the audience portion of the Oro Valley Town Council meeting:
"... It's fairly common at neighborhood meetings where general plan amendments are being discussed or public hearings were general plan amendments are being discussed, for members of the audience to rise and make points at issue and be told, fairly promptly, that the issues that they are raising can not be discussed at this stage.. but rather have to wait to be discussed at the rezoning."In Bill's opinion, 95% of these questions, responses to which are being deferred, are areas that are actually discussed in the general plan; therefore, they should be discussed during the hearing process. If not then, then when?
Bill noted that, in the previous evening's planning and zoning commission meeting on three general plan amendments, not one person on the commission had a copy of the general plan. The question: Does our current process not "follow and consistently apply" what has been adopted? How can the public be assure it will do so?
For example, our 2005 General Plan states the following:
"9.1.5 – The Town shall pursue the enhancement of current venues and development of state-of-the-art cultural facilities including parks, amphitheaters, performing arts facilities, instruction space, galleries and other appropriate facilities."Since 2005, what has the town done to enhance current venues and develop new cultural facilities?
How have we done?
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2 comments:
NO, when the General Plan content should be utilized, in the decision-making process, it is not followed or consistently applied. The Planning and Zoning Commission, Town Staff, and some members of the Town Council treat the General Plan as a guideline which they are not required to follow or apply. The General Plan is policy, but by defining policy as guideline, all levels of Town government have used it as an excuse not to apply the content of the General Plan.
The failure to show respect for the General Plan starts with the Town Council. During the 2010 election cycle, one of the candidates for Mayor, several times, indicated the General Plan must be enforced. Once elected, he has stated the General Plan is just a guideline, and has shown consistent disregard for its content. However, he is not alone, some other Town Council members have consistently disregarded the content of the General Plan. Town staff and the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission have followed the lead of the controlling council members. They also demonstrate the same lack of interest in applying the content of the General Plan. Town staff will take policy statements in the General Plan and apply their own definition by claiming the “intent” is something different than what was written.
Some possible actions to assure the public the General Plan will be followed and consistently applied include:
1. Not merely accepting the words of those running for or serving on Town Council that the General Plan will be applied.
2. The General Plan must contain proper, carefully worded definitions, and directions for applying the content.
3. A General Plan that leads to successful application will not happen if current staff and political allies of council members control the writing. The general public, not only selectively appointed, must be involved.
4. Prior to a citizen vote, the Town must provide public communication opportunities where all citizen views are presented regarding the content of the proposed General Plan.
5. The General Plan should also contain a process that allows the citizens to challenge any level of Town government they believe has (a) failed to follow and apply or (b) changed the intent of the Plan. This challenge process should not contain financial or legal barriers for the citizens
The current process does not follow or consistently apply what was adopted by the vote of the citizens.
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