2020-08-14 Mike and Malissa Bernard
Charlene Way
From:Mike and Malissa Bernard <MMBERNARD1@msn.com>
Sent:Friday, August 14, 2020 11:13 AM
To:City Clerk
Subject:2020 UDC Text Amendment (H-2020-0072) For Submission and Distribution to the
Mayor and City Council, Public Comments
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
To Honorable Mayor Simison and to Members of the City of Meridian City Council,
First of all, I wish to thank you for your service to our city and for the long, extended hours you dedicate to the
community.
I have seen the recent proposals to the City Code UDC Text Amendment H-2020-0072, regarding the application process
for development, and while there are improvements to the Code proposed, I feel there is a point to ponder.
Just a few words on the topic of time limitations for submission of written testimonies from City of Meridian
residents. It is always the developer’s advantage compared to that of the citizen: they know the process; they have
been exposed to the Public Hearing route; they have likely met you all before. Most citizens are not initiated to this
process and they haven’t had a previous opportunity to interact with ACHD, ITD, City Planners, Planning and Zoning
Commission, the Mayor, or the City Council until a plan near their homes or businesses comes to their attention. Added
note: many developers may not reside in Meridian.
While making a 48-hour or a 72-hour cut-off as proposed by development in their commentary would make for a nice,
tidy and streamlined package for all to have time to read (including the attorneys for the developer, which would lend
itself to being possibly deemed “discovery”), to say the City will not accept written testimony from your citizens because
they failed to make a cut-off point supported by Code (and development interests) is a failure to listen and to be
available and open to your constituency.
Oftentimes the Applicant will submit something at the latest possible moment, or City Staff or the Agencies are late to
submit their reports, and the Public has little time to respond to such late submissions…do not silence their voices if they
cannot attend the hearing in person or via phone or via Zoom.
Perhaps a strongly suggested 24-hours for written testimony to be considered by the government body (P and Z, Mayor,
and/or Council), and while testimony received after that time will be submitted to the Public Record, it may not be
guaranteed to be fully reviewed before the hearing. Perhaps a 48-hours previous to the hearing is an optimal
submission timeframe, as a guideline, and is strongly stressed for the best consideration, due to time factors and as a
respectful consideration to the Mayor, City Council, and/or Planning and Zoning Commission so parties may have
adequate time to weigh the written testimony.
We are wholly respectful of your time, dedication, and commitment. My very best to you all. Thank you.
Malissa Bernard
4025 N Dashwood Pl
Meridian ID 83646
208.362.3295
mmbernard1@msn.com
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