Is it beneficial for Patagonia to have a Planning and Zoning Committee (P&Z)? The state statutes don’t require one for a town our size, and after the resignations of the last two chairpersons and additional members, it is a legitimate question. PRT sought a number of opinions on the question, and the responses follow:
Adrienne Halpert was one of the original members of the P&Z and a longstanding chairperson. She believes the P&Z has an important function, speaks on behalf of the community, and should present proposals with clarity and without bias. Her view is that “if you don’t plan, you get planned,” meaning that lack of planning can result in development that is in conflict with community views. Halpert feels strongly that a P&Z must be proactive, and thinks that the Use Permit Ordinance is a good example of that. Contrary to the perception that the use permit was adopted in reaction to Brent Bowden’s large vehicle storage yard on North Third Avenue, she says that, in truth, “We worked on the use permit for years.” She commented that recently “things have become too personalized and we need to get back to our focus on the greater good.”
Michael Stabile is the immediate past chairperson of the P&Z and spent three years on the committee. He resigned this past year stating, “There is no incentive to join the P&Z.” Stabile feels that when Adrienne Halpert was chairperson, the P&Z was an independent body, and that the council listened to its advice. But, says Stabile, “the composition of the council has changed over time, and conflicting personality and political issues are now affecting the relationship between P&Z and the council.” As a result, he says, “the council does not listen to the advice of the P&Z, and sometimes the advice they gave was not even discussed at council meetings.” In Stabile’s view, “The P&Z is irrelevant when it comes to the majority of the present council members.”
Mayor Ike Isakson says he originally thought that Patagonia did not need a P&Z, but now feels that it provides a service to the council by looking into details of the use permit process and providing a summary of pertinent information to the council. He says that “Patagonia probably does not need a P&Z, but it is nice to have one, as it provides a buffer between the council and use permit projects.” He added, however, that “It depends upon who is on it and whether they have an open mind,” and said in closing, “It is too bad that we have to plan and have permits.”
Mary Munroe is the current chairperson of the P&Z, serving with Melissa Murrietta and Amanda Montenez, pending the full complement of five mandated members. She has served on the P&Z for nearly three years and says that the present P&Z is steering clear of politics. She feels that the P&Z fulfills an important function as the eyes, ears and conscience of the community.
Melissa Murrietta, a life long resident, has been on the P&Z for less than a year but feels that it provides a valuable service. She believes that it is important for the Council to trust and respect what the P&Z does and that both groups need to separate personal and professional aspects. She notes that political differences over mining have been a problem in the past but that the council seemed to be paying more attention to their recommendations now.
Gary Gay is a former mayor of Patagonia, and his question is, “If you get rid of the P&Z, who is going to do the legwork and review and give the council recommendations?” He suggests that the council is not going to take the time to do this, and that with a P&Z there is someone who is going to look at all the material that is presented in connection with use permits.
Meg Gilbert is a current and longserving member of the council. She says, “I think P&Z can be a great asset to the council. First, P&Z involves more citizens in the town decisions. Second, there is a lot of research the P&Z could do to better inform council decisions about planning. The code says the P&Z should identify the factors influencing the character and locations of development, focusing on existing conditions and desirable changes. This research could help the council avoid making planning decisions randomly and in haste, but rather approach them as part of an overall view. Third, there are still goals in the Patagonia General Plan that need to be transformed into specific suggestions for the town code. Finally, the P&Z’s review of use permits prior to the council considering them adds an extra step of public review before council has to act, giving the applicant some feedback which could help them fine-tune a project before the final decision.
“Even though it isn’t what’s happened recently, I am for a two-hearing process for use permits. Going forward, I believe the P&Z deserves more staff and council support, more training and education on the open meeting law, use permits and the building permit process, and positive feedback from the council.”