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On March 7, 2023 the Village will hold a petition initiated referendum that will ask you if you want to change our charter (our constitution) to require subsequent community wide votes each time our zoning code is proposed to change.
This will be a vote-by-mail referendum where each registered voter will be mailed a ballot and be asked to mail it back.
I urge you to vote “no”.
It’s unnecessary, It’s overly broad, it doesn’t prevent development, it’s out of scale, it slows the process, it’s expensive, and it opens the door to special interests.
Its unnecessary
When Pinecrest incorporated we did so to have small, effective, representative government focused on slow and managed growth. The people and the Village have delivered on those promises. In the past 26 years we’ve been successful at maintaining our character and enhancing our quality of life. If this referendum is approved it represents a break with the promises made and kept by our founders and our citizens ever since. It would be an affront to the principles of transparency, accountability, and representative democracy on which we were founded.
It’s overly broad
If this were to pass it would require you to vote on future proposed changes to our zoning code. It’s not just “big things” or infrequent items”. This includes changes like:
• Amendments to the language in the zoning code.
• The creation of any new zoning district.
• Amendment of definitions in the zoning code.
• Decreases in setbacks
Increases to lot coverage, floor area ratio, building height Changes to permitted uses
It doesn’t prevent development
If it were to pass, this referendum would not stop or slow development, density, or tall buildings. All of those can be reviewed through regular processes, just as they can today.
It’s out of scale
Future changes could only pass with 60 percent of the vote. Not a simple majority of 50%+1 like all other elections. A minority could stop the Village from acting on decisions.
It’s expensive
All referenda, whether they are Village initiated or applicant driven would cost between $63,000 and $75,000 to administer. The Village would pay for Village initiated measures and the developer or homeowner proposals would be paid for those initiating them. It’s unlikely a homeowner could afford the expense for such a gamble.
It slows the process
The Village makes multiple changes to its code each year to stay current. In the future these changes would have votes that would likely be during the regular election cycle every two years. With multiple changes, ballots would be enormous and confusing. Our elected representatives would be out of the process. There will literally be nobody to answer to you, nobody to blame at the ballot box and nobody to turn to for help. Two years is a long time to wait for a change that can be made in two months, particularly if the enjoyment of your property depends on it.
It opens the door to special interests
If the proposed Charter amendment were to pass, there would be an election, and State Law says the Village would be unable to participate one way or another. There would be no staff report, no professional analysis, no workshops for questions and no council votes.
And while homeowners would typically be unable to afford to gamble at such a cost, Special interests, or developers on the other hand, with much to gain, would be more than willing to fund a campaign to support their initiative.
Just say no
Do we really want to vote on the definitions of terms that are put in our zoning code? Do we really want to vote on every change to a setback or every change the codes text? What happened to a simple majority, why do these things need to pass by 60% to be approved? Isn’t dealing with these issues exactly why we elect people to our village council every two years? If we don’t like their decisions we have a voice.
Pinecrest has always practiced, small, efficient and effective government. We believe in slow and managed growth. We have been highly successful over the past 26 years. There is no reason to change this approach. This amendment will create the opposite. I urge you to vote “no”.
If you would like to discuss the details please call me at 305-606-2364.
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