July 28, 2005
People are Talking
A friend emails me this:
Dramatic choices face South Haven.
City planners have proposed significant changes to building ordinances that will challenge traditional heights, density, green space and, perhaps, the future livability of our city.
Developers stand in the wings with proposals that will reshape the face of our beautiful lakefront and historic, quaint downtown.
The Downtown Development Authority has diverted millions of taxpayer dollars into infrastructure support for chosen projects.
Certainly these issues, though publicly contentious between citizens and city hall, have not been covered by the local newspaper.
Unless individuals regularly attend Planning Commission, DDA meetings and City Council meetings,there is no way to be aware of the extent of the rapid and concentrated development occurring and planned in South Haven.
Though lately citizens have been watching, listening, appearing, reacting and suggesting, the reception from city hall and elected Council has been chilly.
Recently, residents expressed their concern to City representatives with a petition with the signatures of over 600 residents questioning
the height and density of planned development. The petition was first insulted, then ignored.
Last week concerned citizens submitted a proposal for a building moratorium, a simple "study period", on PUDs (Planned Unit Developments). Those who propose the moratorium simply hope it might allow some breathing space for the community to consider,
among other issues, whether or not infrastructure is adequate for development as proposed.
These citizens put up their own money for an expensive announcement in the local paper to suggest the idea and alert more local residents to the issues.
The request was that it be presented for Planning Commission consideration at their next regular meeting.
Before the Planning Commission had even seen the citizen's proposal, the Assistant City Manager (in a letter to the editor) challenged the validity and value of such a moratorium. A city government which sincerely values citizen input should encourage a balanced and open community discussion of impending changes before making such a public dismissal.
I hope the City will see the advantages of a community wide examination of the benefits and pitfalls of development pressures.
I hope the City will slow down and value the voices, concerns and visions of citizens.
Opportunistic developers and city staff may come and go, but South Haven's future belongs to all who live and work here.
Posted by Elaine at July 28, 2005 01:35 PM
Comments
The current municipal plan adopted in 2004 spells out development areas of our City and states higher and denser development. It leaves out defined "limits" of height, open space etc. and until the planning commission makes recommendation and council sets those limits we will always have developers trying to define them rather than boards & commissions. The elected officials of council and the appointed officials of planning commission should set the limits as soon as possible so that city staff and developers have a clear direction. Its been over 7 months and planning commission has made no recommendation as to the limits that the municipal plan calls for. I think the time is for action by our boards and commissions rather than inaction.
Posted by: Steve at August 3, 2005 11:51 AM
Steve, The Planning Commission is hard at the job of doing just that. Besides monthly meetings that have lasted until nearly midnight since the first of the year, Planning Commission (unpaid volunteers, I must add) has added additional workshop sessions for many months to hash out the new PUD ordinance. The difference between the original draft proposed and the current working document is substantial. With so much at stake, deep breaths, much thought and reduced speed is ideal.
A separate issue is evident: community voice. I am sincerely heartened by the "coming alive" of voices in South Haven concerned about city government and developmement/growth. These are not panicky NIMBYS ("Not In MY NeighBorhood"), but long-time residents with experience, courage and a passion for South Haven. My concern is to include them in the process, respect their ideas, keep an open mind, work toward concensus.
Incidents like The Asst. City Manager's letter does not serve these ends. It only serves to heighten tensions.
Posted by: Elaine at August 5, 2005 07:33 AM
The planning commission is a thankless job and I for one thank them all for what they do and the time they spend at it. Good luck with the workload and the PUD ordinance.
Posted by: Steve at August 5, 2005 06:46 PM
It's not SO thankless. You get to spend time doing creative, important work that benefits your hometown, all while spending quality time with smart, funny, caring people. One learns a lot. You might like to try it yourself sometime! :-)
Posted by: Elaine at August 6, 2005 07:52 AM