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Neighborhood groups urge council to preserve public input after planning-commission changes
Summary
Representatives of the Westland Neighborhood Association and the committee for community outreach asked council to retain opportunities for verbal public testimony and broader NA involvement after recent planning-commission changes shifted more decisions to staff 'planning manager' determinations.
During public comment, neighborhood association leaders told council that changes at the planning commission and proposed administrative decisions risked reducing opportunities for resident input. Kathy Hapicki, speaking for the WNA, said the group was “grave” about moves that would add items to the planning manager’s decision and reduce hearings and public testimony opportunities.
CCI vice chair Shannon Knight also asked the council to approve a work plan so neighborhood associations can conduct summer outreach; council indicated staff and liaisons will review submitted plans with the goal of advancing them at an August meeting. Council members acknowledged state-mandated code changes but said they would review the planning-commission discussion and consider clarifications so residents’ opportunities to comment are preserved.
