08-18-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View Planning Commission August 4, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 6 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Hegland indicated he is concerned about objections from the business community. Commissioner Zwirn indicated he would not want a funeral home or mortuary in Mounds View Square. The Commission agreed to look at them separately. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Discuss Public Comment Unrelated to Planning and Zoning Matters Community Development Director Ericson indicated this item is brought to the Commission for consideration at his own doing and he was not directed to put this together nor asked to address the Commission. Director Ericson commented that free speech is important in this country and the right to ones opinion should be embraced. He then said that his comments and the request this evening to consider does not take away the right to make comments and to address issues someone feels are important. He further commented that it is something that everyone has the right to do and to have an opinion and to express it says a lot about a person because a lot of people do not share opinions. Director Ericson suggested there may be more appropriate places for commissioners to express personal opinions unrelated to planning and zoning matters. He then commented in response to Mr. Werner’s question, that the reason for the public comment section on the agenda is for resident input and it is to get feedback from the community on planning and zoning issues and community development matters in general. Director Ericson explained that the Planning Commission, like all City Commission, are appointed and serve a specific purpose which is to review issues and provide feedback and recommendations to the City Council. He then said that the specific duties of the Planning Commission are to review variance requests, review the Comprehensive Plan, rezoning requests, conditional use permits, planning and zoning matters and subdivisions. Director Ericson indicated that public comment, as a Planning Commission Member, is expected and encouraged, as the City wants opinions. He then said that is why members were appointed because the City values volunteer input as being important to the process. However, there is an understanding that public comment is limited to planning and zoning issues and related to the duties of Planning Commissioners and, if someone has an opinion or concern unrelated to planning and zoning, they should take those comments to the appropriate body whether that be the City Council, the Park and Recreation Commission or the Economic Development Commission, otherwise it clouds the issue of whether this is one person’s opinion or the opinion of the Commission.