Q. I am for/against a case in front of the
Zoning Board. How can I make my opinion known?
A. There are several methods I have seen
effective people and organizations use. The most effective people compare the
proposed zoning change to the County Comprehensive Plan. The most
effective counter or support arguments use logic and facts to express a point of
view. Write a
concise and well reasoned letter to the board after you have reviewed the
development plan. Don't write a letter based upon a rumor you heard. Such
letters are often dismissed outright, and any pertinent comments they have go
with them.
Include references to specific
sections in the Ford County Comprehensive Plan, and how the proposed changes fit
the spirit and specifics of the plan.
Include graphics. Nothing
demonstrates a vision or a concern better than pictures.
Find other people that agree
with you. Have them write a letter also. Twenty letters expressing the same
opinion carry more weight than one letter carrying twenty signatures.
Research. Research
Research.
Find out what other developments like this one have turned out like. Then
present these facts.
Show up at the hearing! When
it is your time to speak, SPEAK, don't assume someone else will express your
point of view. They might be a little hesitant to talk and you could miss your
chance. Have some notes with you if you are shy, and cover your points without
rambling. Speak loudly and clearly and get to the point. Avoid name calling,
innuendoes, and cheap shots, these give the opposition ammo and sympathy.
If the vote doesn't go your
way, remember you still have the County Commissioners Hearing, and if that
fails, you have the right to appeal it to the District Court and beyond.
The top 10 least effective
ways to present your case are:
10. To scream, yell, cry, rant, try to
intimidate or otherwise abuse the zoning board.
9. To say that it will lower your
property values without proof. You would be surprised at the weird stuff
that will actually raise your property values. Or to complain that it will trash the
neighborhood when your property next door is known as a local eyesore.
8. To give the Zoning Board a lecture
on what their duties and responsibilities are. They know what they
are. As a matter of fact they attend training yearly to remind them of
theses responsibilities. And yes, they have read, and do support, the
Constitution of the United States of America.
7. To say that you have relatives that have
lived in Ford County since the Jurassic Era and that your genetic linage gives
your opinion more weight than anyone else's should have.
6. To say the exact same thing as the
last thirty people have said. Once one or two people make a point the
board has digested it and will consider it in their deliberations.
5. To assume that because you are a
"big man on campus" your opinion is the most important in the
room.
4. To accuse the applicant of something
you cannot prove in a court of law. This is one of my personal
favorites. It goes like this: "Billy Bob might have had a D.U.I. in
1971, and we all know he may be cattin' around on Amy-Lorraine, so that makes
his Quikie Mart plan suspect.
3. To suck up to the Zoning
Board. Please, this may have worked in 7th grade for Eddie Haskell, but it
doesn't work now that we are all adults.
2. To threaten to file a lawsuit.
Our lawyers are much better than yours, and we will win because we are good at
what we do and we follow the law.
1. To use the phrase "those
people" and assume with a wink that we all know what you mean and that we
really don't like those people either. All cases in front of the Ford
County Zoning Board are judged without account of the applicant's race, gender,
religion, or national origin.
As
Sgt Joe Friday said : "Just the
facts, Ma'am".