Minutes - 10/19/1996 (Memo)
-,.,
MEMO
"ATTACHMENT - TR 0021"
Council Minutes 10/28/96
To:
From:
Subject:
Date:
City Council File
Dick Pugh
Site Plan Review #95-26 Esperanza Court
October 15, 1996
~ . . en members of the council, this hearin is e
volume of text, verball certainly the most controversial
that since being on the commission and for the pas with this city
coun il body. .,-,I~
J€/1" ~~ IfPnr.K /J,IlIVWllr I.#~I ~"u.e- #It:rO y.
ave heard & read criticism ofthe planning commission for it's deliberations on this
matter and for that I feel very badly. This is a body of people, probably the best that
Woodburn has had on its commission for some time and they carried out their duty well..
This matter was decided by them following thorough deliberations and the land use laws as
laid down for them to follow. It is a shame that our general public is not more
knowledgeable of our land use laws so there could be a greater understanding when a
decision is made. As a matter of fact if that happened some of the fallacies in that program
could indeed be improved upon.
During this concluding period of our council review, I was convinced that there has to be
latitude for the council in its deliberations; taking into account that we should be able to
see a broader picture and correct any developing trend that could be harmful to the city of
Woodburn. It seemed to me that if this wasn't the case, the only use for the council was to
check the application ofthe land use laws and act accordingly, rubber stamping the
commission decision should there not be any errors in application. As far as the land use
laws are concerned this appears to be the case. We, by the law, are nothing more than an
audit function as concerns the actions of the planning commission. I DON'T BLAME THE
PLANNING COMMISSION, I BLAME THE OVER DICTATORIAL POWERS OF THE
STATE OF OREGON, AS THESE LAWS WERE WRITIEN, AND HOW IT APPLIES
TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON OVERVIEW OF THESE LAND USE DECISIONS.
When I joined this city council I vowed I would always vote my conscience, regardless of
the negative effects on my personal life. It had seemed to me that our responsibility was to
serve the voting public and to favorably effect the outcome ofthis city. My biggest fight has
always been to avoid deterioration of our property values by improper zoning or sightless
planning. In this case I am unable to vote my conscience, but I will not break this promise
to myself. I cannot in good conscience vote for 95-26. Since I can't vote my conscience I will
abstain from voting on this measure.
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