Resident criticizes duplex approval, at-large elections and asks council to visit his street

Rob Ford, a Commerce resident, used his allotted public‑comment time at the City of Commerce council meeting to challenge a recent approval that allowed a duplex in an area zoned single‑family and to raise concerns about the city’s at‑large election system.

Ford told the council, “When y'all voted to allow them to build a duplex in a area that was zoned as single family … those people's property values are gonna go down.” He also said at‑large elections “don't help the minorities” and urged the council to consider representation when making land‑use decisions.

The comment came during the meeting’s public‑comment period after the council’s opening and ceremonial items. Ford said he felt university representatives who spoke at a previous meeting did not address residents in the gallery and that some matters could have been handled in a smaller setting rather than the full council meeting. “You are the city council. You are the representation of the city,” he told members.

Ford also asked for members of the council to meet him at his home to inspect neighborhood conditions. “I would like someone from this city council to meet me on my street, my house within the next couple of days,” he said. He said he wanted the council to see “what we deal with.”

The council did not take formal action on Ford’s requests during the public‑comment period. The meeting later proceeded through its agenda; the consent agenda was approved and the council moved to executive session on a separate agenda item concerning a Planning and Zoning Commission appointment.

Public comment is not a decision point; Ford’s remarks record concerns raised by a resident about zoning approvals, neighborhood impacts and the city’s election system. The council did not announce a follow‑up public response on the record before adjourning the public session.