2003 Planning Commission Packets

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i � � �� "The raost 'tmportant point in dealing with '�IBYs is to took at the big picture and v�ihaC's in the best interest of the community as a whole. It aIl boils down to appointing and electing `leaders.' Toa oEten NIMBYs get their way when it wasn't in the best interest of the whole just because people without conviction are making the decision." —Maureen France, City Commissioner, City of DeLar3d, Flo�•idn � :i f }' "Some[imes NIMBYs are the citizen's first exposure to planning and zoning. While Che best time to be first involved would have been back when the community plan was being developed, NtMBY situations can nevertheless be viewed as an opportunity for citizen involvement. Quite often, interested citizens will s[ay involved after the issue invalving the NIMBY goes away. If [hey are reasonabie people, an aCtempt should be made to `,nzit these interested citizens into the :;'stem. Also, bear in mind that planners don't have a monopoiy on common sense. We should at Ieas[ make an effort to listen to those citizens who take the titne to appear before us." — Tim Anderson, �ICP, Principal Pinnner, Regton 2 P�anning Commissfor�, Jachso�l, Michigan "Some of our most dedicated and educat- ��5 �6`Q �O� ed planning commission tnembers and activists became involved originally because of neighborhood issues. One thing about having something in your hackyard 'zs [hat it forces you to become well versed on alt sides of the issues. You get to see how your government really operates. Einste'tn once stated tha[ `In the middle oE difficulry lies oppor[unity.' i lil.e to fihink that NIMBYs have ultimately led to improved govern- mental processes for citizens in my county." — Chris Mz�eller, Dearborn Counry, Indiana "An old timer in the ways oE Iocal politics once oEfered tne some simple advice: `I want my enemies right next to me and my friends in the audience.' Sometimes, when time permits, a challenge to the NIMBYs to become involved in the process ean help. Once involved they sometimes are able to see things Erom a wider perspective. Not something that can be done every [ime, but occasionally it works." — James �. Gr.i�nat, AICP Planning Director, Sanford, Mctine . - ,. "As a County Commissioner I faced a lot of NI?vlBYism. What I've found most impor- tant is that the process For including public opinion must be fair and consistent with past golicy. You'll find that people witl accept a disagreement in the end, but if they feel like it was shoved down Cl�eir throats, it will be a disaster." — Sta[e Representative Bill Hinhle, CIe Elt�m, Wcuhington � "I've been in planning for 33 years, includ- ing a few years as a glanning commissioner. The media has a tendency to call a11 N1ivI8Ys `environmentalists.' My experience has been that many NIMBYs are people who do not wish to see any form oE change in their imrnediate environment, especially if the change represents a threat to their proper- ty's value or to their personai `qualiCy of life.' They use environmental arguments ,�,:: to support their primary opposiCion to a particular project, but I would hardly consider them environmentalists. The reai environmentalists are chose citizens who appear before public bodies to debate issues related to community-wide planning policies." — Pn�t1 Wach, ATCP Sc�n Luis Obispo, Cntifarnia l�gitir�ate Co�cera�s v. N1M��s�a "My hackgraund is as a non-profit aEford- able housing project eoordinator and cux- rently as a �hild care facilities development consultant In affordable housing circles there has been a move to avoid using the NiMBX phrase. It is instantly accusatory and tends to put people on the defensive rather than opening up the door to real communicaYion. My second thought is that there should be a dis[inction made between neighbors who have legitimate concerns related to traffic, parking, drainage, ete. and those wh.o are basically objecting to `those kinds oE people' moving in next door, For people Not in ttty back ynrd Locnlly unwanted 2anc2 use Not on ptanet earth PLANNiNG COMMiSSiONERS JOURNAL / NUivIBER 51 / SUi�iNfER 2003 ��°��