As evidenced by the May 9th, City Council Meeting, Dublin City Council is power hungry. Our government works on a system of checks and balances. Each part of government should, in theory, work together to bring the best result forward. In Dublin, since its existence, the Planning and Zoning Commission has been a check to the power of Council and served as a citizen voice within the city. Made up of citizen volunteers appointed by City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission consists of seven members. This commission works with developers, city staff and City Council to oversee development applications within the city. Decisions made by the commission are for the most part, binding. The commission has a long track record of bringing high quality developments to Dublin and keeping development quagmires away from the city.
Well, no more! Dublin City Council wants to stifle the Planning and Zoning Commission, stripping them of binding decision making. By eliminating this power, Dublin City Council ensures that all developers will end up in front of City Council and will only have to answer to Council, with no check, no balance. This is bad for the city and bad for you. Deals will be made, power will be wielded behind closed doors and Dublin will be poorer as a result.
Kevin Walter believes that the Planning and Zoning Commission serves a powerful and important role within the development process. Kevin Walter believes that Dublin should preserve the time honored tradition of the Planning and Zoning Commission and will work to ensure that City recognizes the value of this important commission. Kevin Walter believes that all good government includes checks to centralized power and control.
Read details of the City’s proposed ordinance: http://www.dublin.oh.us/council/2011/agenda/5-9-11/pdf/Ord23-11.pdf