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Residents tell Placer supervisors Hope Way meeting in Penryn left questions unanswered, raised concerns about civility at hearings
Summary
Multiple residents told the board they found a Sept. 1 public meeting on the Hope Way apartment project in Penryn unhelpful and said staff and the developer often did not directly answer questions; supervisors urged decorum at the upcoming planning commission hearing.
Several residents used the Oct. 14 public-comment period to tell the Placer County Board of Supervisors they felt a community forum about the Hope Way apartment project in Penryn lacked direct answers and descended into uncivil exchanges between attendees, staff and the developer.
What residents said: Speakers said that during the Sept. 1 forum at Del Oro High School many questions were not answered or were answered ambiguously; one resident said staff denied a request for a follow-up question despite people in the room offering their time. Another speaker, who said he had gone as an observer, criticized audience members for shouting down presenters and said the atmosphere was "embarrassing" and discouraged him from supporting the project.
Board response: Supervisors acknowledged the public's frustration and several urged the chair of the Planning Commission and staff to encourage respectful behavior at the upcoming commission hearing. Supervisor Gustafson and Chair Gore emphasized decorum and the value of respectful exchanges so that policymakers and the public can focus on substantive issues.
What was not decided: The comments were part of public comment; no formal action or change to the planning process was taken at the Oct. 14 meeting. Supervisors reminded residents that planning commission hearings remain the formal venue for project testimony and that the board cannot act on items raised in public comment outside of agendized items.
Next steps: The county staff said the planning commission will hear the matter this week; supervisors asked staff and the commission to encourage orderly public participation and clarified that repeated unanswered questions should be documented for follow-up.
