Tomorrow the town is "hosting" on online forum to present a general plan amendment on the Vistoso Golf Course. We posted about Monday. We asked then: Does this fulfill the requirement that a pre-submittal, in-person neighborhood meeting be held prior to formal submittal of a General Plan Amendment and/or rezoning application.
The town thinks it does.
Winfield agrees it will accomplish objective of getting public input
We asked Mayor Winfield why the “town” pushing the amendment process forward in these challenging times when we can not have the required in person neighborhood meeting before submission on April 30 of the Romspen GP Amendment? Why not extend the filing deadline until at least one in person neighborhood meeting can take place? You can read his response in the panel.
The town provides the following response to the same question, providing detail for moving forward.
"The Zoning Code enables the Planning and Zoning Administrator to approve alternative methods of public outreach when warranted. With the ongoing COVID-19 social distancing requirements, an alternative method and schedule is necessary and the best solution under the existing circumstances.
The Planning & Zoning Administrator has the authority to approve a customized process and approach as part of the Public Outreach Plan (POP) as provided below:
22.15.D.4. The POP must incorporate the neighborhood meeting requirements noted in subsection F of this section. The applicant may propose an alternative process if it is designed to include key stakeholders in a meaningful way, and is consistent with subsection A of this section, Purpose, and the public participation and notification policy. Any alternative proposal will be subject to Planning and Zoning Administrator approval. At a minimum, the POP must contain educational and issue identification and resolution elements, as defined in the public participation and notification policy. ((O)16-02 , 2016; 6/11 supplement, 2011.)
Staff has arranged a means for residents to learn and share comments/concerns about the upcoming General Plan amendments in a decidedly low tech and easy manner. The pre-submittal public outreach process in April will involve an online informational video, initial public question and comment period and video response.
In person neighborhood meetings will be postponed till August and September – assuming public health concerns are alleviated. Over the summer, there will be web based opportunities to participate. The aim is to keep the process moving forward and utilize low tech means that are easy to use. This also alleviates some of the concerns from residents about not being in Town over the summer.
The Town is obligated by State Law to act on General Plan amendments in the same year that they are submitted. Town Council does have the option to continue this item if it is apparent that more public participation is needed."
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