tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310124704019321251.post9067562832852408868..comments2024-01-17T09:25:20.535-08:00Comments on Little Hollywood: Olympia Planning Commissioners Meet Privately With Developer Before Zone Amendment HearingJanine Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675857294721458218noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310124704019321251.post-42282752280742973392014-03-14T17:44:00.035-07:002014-03-14T17:44:00.035-07:00Good article, Janine, as usual.
I did want to po...Good article, Janine, as usual. <br /><br />I did want to point out new information that has come to my attention and it would be great if you could add this clarification to your blog:<br /><br />(1) It turns out that Morris did NOT call for or organize these meetings, as I had thought. These meetings were scheduled at the request of Planning Commissioners in January. Commissioner Jerry Parker, in particular, was interested in finding out why the goals of density and compact growth expressed in the 1994 Comp Plan (i.e., current plan) have not been achieved and he believes, accurately, that developers/brokers/lenders have a unique understanding of these issues and what makes them work or not. This question has been asked repeatedly over the years and there are a couple of reports that discuss "barriers to development," including the TRPC's final Urban Corridors Task Force report. Jim Morris and Commissioner Kim Andresen were very kind to take the time to help organize and host these meetings as they met with us at OUR request. Therefore, it is not fair to impugn the reputation of Jim Morris or any other "development interest" at the table.<br /><br />(2) These meetings were intended to be candid and informal, and frankly to establish open and cordial relationships with people that both the Council and Commission will be working with as we try to achieve common goals already adopted in current planning documents (the same kind of relationship we aspire to have with ALL members of the public and that I thought I had with the Carnegie Group!). I think it's fair to say that of the nine commissioners on the Planning Commission, only 2 have direct hands-on knowledge of development issues, and the rest of us are newbies. I'm certainly glad we have their expertise and I will say their conduct has been exemplary. That doesn't mean that developers or anyone else is going to "get their way" on particular issues.<br /><br />(3) Another issue I was mistaken about is that Morris DID NOT request the zoning change that is currently before the Commission. At the March 3 OPC meeting, Leonard Bauer said the zoning amendment was proposed by staff to implement the findings of the EcoNorthwest consultants on "future opportunity areas," one of which includes the westside area surrounding Kaiser Road SW. I thought Leonard was "omitting" to mention that Morris had requested the change. This is not the case as Leonard clarified when I asked him about it.<br /><br />(4) As far as developers not wanting to meet in public, that is MY conjecture based on knowing that developers often have proprietary interests that they would rather not discuss in public. Moreover, local developers are well aware that there is a vocal element in the community that views all developers with suspicion and distrust. As this very conflict reveals, this element expresses this attitude with strident and confrontational rhetoric and with little regard for the facts. Based on these realities, it is hardly surprising that developers are reluctant to present their perspectives in public meetings more likely to produce heat than light. Morris and the others at the table are local people with deep roots in the community who take pride in their work. It would be nice if the OPC's critics understood that not all development and developers are the same. <br /><br />Thanks for publishing these corrections and clarifications.<br /><br />Carole RichmondCarolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11129109798326000113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310124704019321251.post-3283829897615854432014-03-14T09:18:28.618-07:002014-03-14T09:18:28.618-07:00Hi Janine -
A really clear article on something ...Hi Janine - <br /><br />A really clear article on something that is complicated. Just a couple small corrections.<br /><br />I didn't know that Morris was an owner of a property in the area at the time I emailed Kim and told her that I would not be attending the meeting. I told her that I didn't feel comfortable attending a meeting with so many other planning commissioners where the public was not invited. See #11 of my letter. <br /><br />I didn't find out until later in the day when I got home from work and saw Morris' comment letter sent by Nancy Lenzi stating, "As an affected owner of a parcel in the proposed text amendment area, we support the recommendation." I think his letter is with the other comment letters but I can forward it to you.<br /><br />I don't know about six Commissioners attending. Leonard said that in his letter, but I was only aware of five. I don't know who the sixth person would be? <br /><br />Also, where you say:<br /><br />Buckler: The same agenda existed for both…I’m trying to figure out what information you would need….the whole planning commission has had the opportunity to be there.<br /><br />I think that Kim actually said this not Amy.<br /><br />/judy/<br /><br />Judy BardinJudy Bardinnoreply@blogger.com