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May 19,1995 To: Bill Goodrich, City Attorney From: Ben Deemer, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Subject: Comprehensive Plan Input In RESPONSE to Mr. Schroeder's Memorandum of May 11, 1995. My first thought is, why were only three members of the Planning Commission addressed in the memo? I don't believe my input is more important than the four members who are not aware of this memo, and I am sure they would have relevant thoughts. I am going to do this as a brief history document, and furnish a conclusion at the end. In Nov, 1993, Mr. Gromberg introduced Consultants that were hired by the City Council to help the commission with the Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Gromberg's Title on the introduction document was Project Director. The Planning Commission proceeded and formed a subcommittee to work between regular meetings with the Consultants. At the June 1994 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, It was unanimously decided what to present to the City Council at a yet to be scheduled, joint meeting. The commission had decided on a Transportation overlay that fit any land use the City Council would care to direct us to apply. This was the basic No Bridge Overlay, (fig. 4) at that time. The Commission also choose to recommend the Western most Bridge crossing for approval. (fig. 7) at that time. During this process Mr. Gromberg had not been present, although some documents appeared with his name on them. At the Joint meeting of July 6, 1994, Mr. Gromberg was present with the Economic development Commission, and a new version of the Basic Transportation Overlay (fig 7 A) at that time, and the meeting proceeded. The minutes of the meeting indicate that EDC was directed to furnish a land use to the Pond Z, for a Public Hearing in August. In Sept., when the land use was furnished, it was a complete rework of the underlying No Bridge Overlay, and made the recommended western bridge option unworkable. Most of you know the rest of the story. Now for the Hindsight: During the Subcommittee meetings it was difficult to get Changes drawn on the maps as directed. We finally drew lines and it was done. At the First joint meeting, EDC was not invited by the Pond Z, but someone on STAFF did invite them, and they showed up with their leader, Mr. Gromberg and a new plan. This clouded the issue and nothing was resolved. At the next EDC, P and Z joint meeting Mr. Gromberg was asked by the Pond Z Chairman what his intention was. Mr. Gromberg replied that EDC would do the whole comprehensive plan and give it to the City Council. That brings us to the Present, and I don't believe the new plan is in place yet. My own opinion about this is. The P and Z arrived at a plan amendment in a timely fashion, but someone on Staff didn't like the conclusions reached. Mr. Gromberg arrived with a new plan, and proceeded beyond council direction to recreate the whole thing, using all of staffs resources and the consultants. He refused to furnish information to the Pond Z when requested, and even made a financial model, of a Plan he attributed to the P and Z. I believe he went beyond the scope of direction given him and far beyond what the EDC's statutory direction includes. He should be held accountable for the excesses he created. . Deemer, Planning and Zoning Commissioner SUBSET: It has always been P and Z policy to not dictate to another commission, when they make a recommendation, we don't alter it. If we disagree we appear as citizens at the appropriate meetings and voice our concerns in the proper format. WE win some and we loose some. Members of EDC always had this option open to them if they choose it.