My First "No" Vote - What was I thinking!

I have promised to communicate my reasons for voting against any motion before the Forks Township Planning Commission. I believe it is very important our citizens understand any public servant’s rationale for a "no" vote and their motives.

At the May 8, 2008 PC meeting, I voted "no" on a resolution to submit the Forks Comprehensive plan to the Board of Supervisors in its present format. The final vote was 4 to 1 in favor of the resolution. This was my first "no" vote as a member of the Planning Commission.

Just a little context: At the April 22, 2008 Planning Commission (PC) Workshop, the PC voted 4 to 3 to do a final edit of the Forks Township Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission promised to accept additional public input until the May 8, 2008 regular Planning Commission meeting. Then a three person Ad Hoc committee would be formed to make final recommendations to the PC on how to update the plan.

• Actual April 22 Motion: To have the seven members of the Planning Commission look at the Comprehensive Plan and provide input regarding editing and have these comments ready for the May 8th meeting at which time three persons from the Planning Commission will be appointed to review the comments and make all editorial changes to the Comprehensive plan. The motion was amended to include public comment regarding editorial changes to the document.
  

During the discussion phase of the May 8, 2008 motion, I expressed my concern about submitting a unedited draft of our Comprehensive Plan to the Board of Supervisors and potentially to outside agencies. Second, we were asked to vote on a plan that would be updated prior to distribution to the Board of Supervisors. The actual plan presented to the Board of Supervisors would not have the benefit of a PC review. I closed my remarks with the following statement:

• Some of the greatest responsibilities of a Planning Commission include to oversee the preparation and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and the preparation of Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance revisions.
  

The motion did not take into account the public input that the Comp Plan needed to be updated and a final editorial review completed. Second, the draft plan has all the critical data points, but lacks clear and concise goals and a lacks a vision for our community. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Planning Series #3 clearly states a community should develop a vision for its community. Specifically, the Planning Series says:

• "Frequently, planning agencies utilize a visioning exercise to kick off a comprehensive planning effort.
  Visioning is a facilitated process by which citizens develop and articulate their preferences for the future of
  their community. A community vision should reflect the thoughts and concerns of the residents regarding
  environmental, social, and economic values, as well as consider future land uses, residents, and the corresponding desires and needs".
  

Finally, the motion did not identify which version of the draft plan would be submitted to the Board of Supervisors. I must admit, I failed to raise this issue during the discussion of the motion. It was interesting the public was not afforded the opportunity to comment on the motion.

So what was I thinking, as I voted no? My motivation is pure and simple. I believe the Comprehensive Plan was prepared by citizens of our township, with assistance by the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, Township Staff, and professional consultants. We owe it to all the people who worked countless hours to share their thoughts, concerns, passions, and ideas on how to improve our township to produce the best Comprehensive plan possible.

I believe the extra 10 days of review would have produced an eloquent Comp Plan that shows the passion, goals, desire of citizens, and truly articulates the vision of our community.