1) The Comp Plan, as amended, is clearly weaker (because of its
amibiguity) than the old plan. Recall that the old plan (and the
zoning ordinance in support of it) was upheld in several court
decisions. The Comp Plan was also instrumental in fending off Cameron
Farms and Woodland Estates proprosed subdivisions.
2) The map that accompanies the plan is truly a travesty. Maps
tend to long outlive those who were involved in their development.
(The P&Z could offer no rational justification for certain
designations.) There is simply no rational basis for some of
the designations on the map. (I had gotten the SCS data and
ran comparisons against the P&Z designations). Prime agricultural
land will be sacrificed for rural residential development.
3) The Commissioners adoption of the revised was a big defeat.
Some have said that the plan may have gotten worse under the
new commissioners. This may be true. Here, I mean "defeat" in the
sense that citizens did not gain a *single* concession that evening
before the commissioners. The EDC and Chamber fell all over
themselves heaping praise on the new plan. Why is that?
Suvia and I bore the brunt of a great deal of criticism for
raising legitimate, constructive suggestions for improvement.
Dave Peckham also offered constructive comments.
4) It is clear to me that the County P&Z is no longer functional
because of its leadership. While I get along okay with Carl as
an individual, it is time that he step down. His domineering,
in your face approach to citizen participation has become
completely dsyfunctional. He is not objective. He brow beats
others on the P&Z (just ask Lorecca). His contempt for certain
citizens that participate in the process colors the whole
participation process. The P&Z would be incredibly different
with someone like Hoey Graham as Chair. Would others be willing
to sign a letter requesting that the Commissioners appoint a new
Chair?
Finally, I'm burnt. I gave it my best shot. Many of you know
that I have put *many* hours into both city and county planning
processes. It is *not* working. The forces opposed to sound
and controlled development are overwhelming.
I welcome your thoughts and ideas.
-- Greg Brown gregb@uidaho.edu Computer Services Moscow, ID 83843 University of Idaho (208) 885-2126