Planning Commission Update

After multiple hearings, expensive staff time, and significant public opposition, the City Council backed off its plan to eliminate the Planning Commission. That's the good news.

Here's what happened next.

The Slate

At last week's second special meeting, the mayor closed the public hearing and the City Council appointed five new planning commissioners as a single slate, with no separate vote on any individual appointee.

The new commissioners are:

Jeff Williams, Mary Mann, Norm Donohoe, Dan Brown, and David Friedman

Nobody is questioning their qualifications. They bring real experience to the table. But if the names ring a bell, here's why.

Same Names, Different Committee

Last year's Budget Committee:

Jeff Williams, Mary Mann, Norm Donohoe, Roger Knight, Carolyn Bahrman, and David Shafer

Last year's Park Committee:

Jeff Williams, Mary Mann, Brett Egusa, Joan Joyce, Lindsey von Colditz, and Nathan Spaccarelli

That looks like a pattern.

The Obvious Question

The City spent months telling residents the Planning Commission couldn't function because there weren't enough volunteers willing to serve. Then, when it came time to fill the seats, the mayor turned to the same handful of names he's already appointed to other committees.

Is Rivergrove really short on qualified volunteers, or is the mayor only willing to choose from a limited list?

Thank You

To everyone who showed up, spoke at the hearings, sent emails, or simply paid attention when it would've been easier not to: thank you. 

The Planning Commission is still standing because residents made noise. That matters.