What To Do About the Defective Planning Commission

Planning Commission's Function is limited in Grand Terrace. It has been the practice that the Planning Commission does not disapprove any staff forwarded plans or proposals. They do not do more than a cursory review of the applications and if approved by Planning Department or City Manager the CUP's and Plans are issued. Even when citizens point out flaws and problems in the applications, EIR's and other documents and flaws in the plans them self. This planning commission is a rubber stamp to anything initiated by the City Planning Department, or Friends of the Council and or former City Manager.

The Planning Commission is only critical on independent or non city sponsored projects. Then the plans are circulated and nit picked to the point of what trees to plant and the color of paint on the fence.

The City Council has final approval and just as with everything else what staff approves or recommends goes. Tom Schwab lead us down many a bad path with his recommendations. The Planning Commission should have heard the citizens concerns and addressed them. The City Council should have heard the concerns and addressed them.

It may be better to have no Planning Department or Planning Commission at least then it would be fair for everyone.

What to do. Well, if you see a business that is in violation of the CUP or the City Code make a formal complaint and document it. Post it on YouTube. Then ask the city to either eliminate the code that isn't being enforced so that everyone can enjoy the same privileges as the Code Violator. This is the same logic used in the Fireworks debate.

In fact if there are documented reports of violation and there is a loss of life or property on as a result, the business in violation and the City of Grand Terrace will be liable. The City because of its non enforcement of codes.

Any member on the Current Planning Commission should not be elected to the City Council if they allowed the Public to be shut out of the hearing and the full discussion of issues with an applicant. That includes former candidate Doug Wilson who delivered the gag order to the citizens of GT.