Enforce zoning laws fairly
Very recently, I had the occasion to watch the McMinnville Board of Zoning Appeals go about its work as it considered a request for a zoning variance that impacted upon my family’s property. While the particular details of that request are not important, I would like to make a point or two about how I think a zoning board should conduct itself.
Let me say first I understand as well as anyone does, the need to grant variances to the zoning ordinances. That is perfectly understandable and that is why zoning ordinances have the appeal process built into them.
However, the scope and the breadth of the variance, which was granted by this board in my particular case, was such that it makes a complete mockery of the zoning ordinances. Furthermore, the board’s decision showed, I think, a little disrespect for the basic concept of property lines and property rights.
In order to have a community of the highest standards, zoning ordinances must, to the greatest extent possible, be respected and upheld by city officials. Unfortunately in my case, the hearing was merely a pro-forma exercise.
All too often, decisions about zoning are not considered in their proper light. The minds of that committee were made up on that issue before the meeting was even brought to order. All that remained was for them to do their best possible impressions of a deliberative body, a performance, I might add, that would have won no one an Oscar.
It is my hope in the elections soon to take place in the city, and further down the road, we might elect some men and women who could then constitute a zoning appeals board that would do a better job of respecting the zoning ordinances and be a little less susceptible to glad handing and back scratching.
Sincerely,
Paul W. Farley
204 S. High Street