In a letter presented to the Winneshiek County Planning & Zoning Commission, Winneshiek County Protectors raise issues about the processes used in changing the county's zoning ordinance

(The following is a letter presented to the Winneshiek County Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday night by the Winneshiek County Protectors):

The Winneshiek County Protectors are concerned aboutimportant process issues inherent in any consideration of changes to the county'szoning ordinance or comprehensive plan. Though it may have been standard practice in the past to announce apublic hearing about zoning or comprehensive plan amendments without a separateagenda item for consideration of an actual vote on the proposal(s), we believethe public interest would be better served if the P&Z Commission clearlyidentified that a vote on the proposal(s) up for consideration would follow thepublic hearing.  Currently, theassumption seems to be that a member of the public should somehow understandthat the public hearing is a first step that will automatically be followed bya vote.

In media reports leading up to this hearing our zoningadministrator is quoted as saying that the hearing is not a venue for thepublic to argue the changes, nor will the ordinance changes be explained.  Why hold a public hearing at all if thepublic can't make the case for changes or ask for an explanation or rationalebehind the amendment language?  Thisapproach undermines public confidence in the important work of thiscommission.  It also leaves theimpression that no matter what the public might say, the commission will giveno thought to incorporating public input into the document.  The urgency to move this ordinance amendmentto the Board of Supervisors should not be solely based on the end date of aconsultant's contract.  Instead, theP&Z Commission should listen to what the public says, weigh the commentscarefully and consider changing the draft language if a majority of thecommission thinks the input is worthy.

A public hearing is not just a hurdle for commissions orelected bodies to get through.  It is aplace where citizens have the opportunity to make the case for change orbroaden the discussion about key public policies.  Let's make sure we give the hearing processthe respect it deserves here in Winneshiek County.