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Residents say they were left in the dark on hotel and downtown plans; call for better communication
Summary
Multiple residents urged clearer, faster communication after learning about a hotel proposal and city property purchases; speakers said they were surprised and asked for more transparency and earlier notice of land-use changes.
Residents at the meeting repeatedly said they learned about the hotel rezoning and the property acquisitions through social media and urged the board to improve public outreach and timelines.
"We didn't know about this," Tina Collins said of a hotel proposal near a recreation center and park, adding community safety concerns and asking that "the citizens...deserve to know more before it happens." Several speakers said online posts and rapid conversations spurred turnout and that minutes and meeting materials should be published sooner to reduce rumor and frustration.
Board members and staff acknowledged the communication gap and said the city will provide more detail at future meetings and that staff would add timelines for studies such as topographic and building-condition assessments. Residents asked for a clearer schedule for when studies and public meetings would be completed so they can follow progress.
