Although my first post regarding the Greensboro Zoning Commission's 7-2 vote in favor of new commercial development on Battleground Avenue was several days ago, the conversation with Commissioner Janet Wright continues (click on comments).
Ms. Wright describes a balancing act:
"What happens when staff recommends in favor, the neighborhood is opposed? What if no one in the neighborhood comes out opposed and the staff is against? The problem with the last meeting was the addition of the Comp Plan in a way that was not clear. The reason it was not clear is because staff was saying the proposal was in contradiction to the plan, but that what the plan says is appropriate for the property isn’t what the staff thinks is appropriate and therefore was going to recommend an amendment, just not THIS amendment. Huh?"
Wouldn't it be a great experiment in digital democracy if each of Greensboro's many appointed Boards and Commissions had places to conduct conversations such as what is going on here? Although I still don't agree with her vote on the issue, I am beginning to understand why she voted the way she did.
Janet laments, "One thing I would love to see is people coming out to address a zoning that’s NOT in their neighborhood". If she will notice I did just that with my original post on the subject back on January 9th. Like thousands of others, I had an opinion on the rezoning before the decision was made but we don't have the time to make the trip to City Hall to get heard on every matter that we deem important. Conversations on important issues occur constantly all over the city, we just need to corral the opinions and make them accessible.
A weblog is easy to set up and easy to use Janet, you obviously have a lot to say and know how to say it. Care to join us?
5:38:22 PM 
|
