Tuesday night at City Hall, I witnessed what can happen when Citizens are properly informed in advance of issues coming before the City. I could not help but compare and contrast the difference between what happened at this Planning Commission pre-meeting, and formal board meeting versus what happened regarding the Samford Rezoning case a few months back.
In this case a piece of property located across the street from the Exceptional Foundation that currently has a house on it and is zoned R5 residential was sold and the new owner wanted it rezoned to C2 which would allow them to locate a Snow Cone and or Used Bookstore business at this location.
The information regarding this upcoming request was out in the Public due to the diligence of a few Citizens that circulated several hundred e-mails prior to the first Planning Commission meeting on the subject. Over 30 Citizens showed up for the pre-meeting and over 85 at the subsequent formal meeting. The Committee Chamber was packed, and so was the Council Chamber.
Once in the Council Chambers, this issue finally came up, and after a brief presentation by the new owner, the public was allowed to speak for or against the project rezoning. After at least 15 people spoke, and a signature list of over 114 signatures was presented against the project, the Planning Commission voted a unanimous NO to the rezoning request which will now come before Council.
This is the way it is supposed to work. Early information out to the Public before an attempt to get to first base, Planning Commission Members voted according to the will of the Citizens of which all were against the project. Also of importance, Joe Falconer who is also a member of this Committee recused himself from the vote and explained his relationship to the buyer and seller. Joe is to be commended for his recusal.
Now let’s compare this to the Samford Rezoning Case. The public was not extensively informed in advance of the first Planning Commission meeting, and no major circulation of such occurred until the issue had already been through P&D and Zoning. At that point, a major effort was launched to inform the Citizens of what was coming before Council and more than 250 residents showed up at multiple neighborhood meetings, and subsequent Council and Committee Meetings telling their representatives they were opposed to the Rezoning. Most were in the immediate area where Samford owns homes. The Committee Members and Council Members who voted for the rezoning ignored the will of their constituents, and some even had conversations with Samford Executives before the first Planning Commission meeting with Samford Executives getting pledges of support with Council members which is highly unethical. This process was wrong and violates the State Sushine laws and Ethics Laws, but more importantly a violation of the representation Citizens expect of their Elected Officials. All avoidable had the Council and Committees done their job educating the public before the first meeting was ever held. Unfortunately a majority of Council Members voted in favor of the Samford rezoning and further damaged the residents of Homewood in NPD zoned housing areas. There were many good ideas offered as alternatives to this rezoning, but most of the Council and Committee Members ignored them.
One more note about last night’s meetings that has to be said. It is absolutely amazing to me that Billy Higgenbotham – Chair of the Planning Commission did not take the time to explain to the Citizens who went out of their way to attend the pre-meeting and primary meeting the complete process, welcoming them for taking the time to attend and participating in the process and encouraging them to come again and invite their neighbors. Public participation and gratitude for attendance should always be paramount for all Committee chairs, and Council President before any meeting begins. Furthermore introductions of all of the Committee members would have also helped the Public better understand who was in each Chamber and the process as a whole. Instead, Billy proceeded with the meeting with none of the formalities that should always be afforded Citizens and Business Owners who attend meetings. After all, they don’t come to all of the meetings and understand who, what, when, and where. The most appalling thing is to hear Billy’s condescending and arrogant remarks to Citizens in both meetings. Extremely unprofessional and Elitist. This is not the type of people we need leading these meetings. I believe Billy and the Committee owe the Citizens a formal apology for his arrogant outbursts and threats he made during the meetings. This is exactly why Homewood Citizens feel defensive when they attempt to participate in our governmental process and get talked to like Red Headed Step Children. I know many Citizens who don’t want to participate in anything due to this type of behavior, but have a genuine interest in participating. It is unacceptable and inexcusable.
I am sure there will be a few folks who attended who will try and pick apart my assessment of the events discussed and they are certainly entitled to their opinion. All of us have a right to report what we see and hear for the benefit of all. I hope all of you who read this commentary will also be encouraged to write thoughtful and compelling commentary that will help move the City forward through a more participatory process. The City of Homewood belongs to it’s Citizens.
