Hilarious! “9 THINGS PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY AT ZONING HEARINGS, ILLUSTRATED BY CATS”.

Ran across this blog some time back during a kerfuffle over a zoning issue here in the little City of Lake Worth. If you regularly attend planning or zoning meetings you will be amused, or in some cases, maybe not. The blog is by Dan Keshet in Austin, Texas called Austin On Your Feet.

The graphics he uses of the cats to make his point will get you thinking. Everyone who knows Dustin here in Lake Worth knows he will get much amusement from this as well:

 “Those 1,000 times you sat on your couch to support developments far away from you. . .”

“If you’re opposed, just tell us why. . .”

Here are four of the “9 things people always say at zoning hearings, illustrated by cats”:

1. I’M NOT OPPOSED TO ALL DEVELOPMENT. JUST THIS DEVELOPMENT.

Those 1,000 times you sat on your couch to support developments far away from you surely counterbalance that one time you came out to oppose your neighbor’s development.
     If you’re opposed, just tell us why; don’t go on about how you’re not a person that opposes things. [emphasis added]

2. NOBODY TALKED TO ME!

The city notifies neighbors and registered civic organizations about upcoming permits. Developers seek out people they think might be affected. But it’s hard to know who is going to care and notifications are often thrown out. Don’t feel left out! If you’re at the hearing, you’re being heard. Just say what’s on your mind.

5. LET ME TELL YOU MY THEORY OF ECONOMICS.

If council members haven’t learned economics by now, they’re not going to learn it from your three minute testimony.

6. WHAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY NEEDS IS A COFFEE SHOP, NOT MORE APARTMENTS.

For all the mean things people sometimes say about developers, a lot of folks seem to fashion themselves amateur land developers, with a keen eye on exactly what types of businesses will succeed or fail. As it turns out, those things coincide perfectly with the things they personally enjoy.

The above are 4 things people say at zoning hearings and there are 5 more to read on Mr. Keshet’s blog, all illustrated by cats. Anyone who goes to planning, zoning, or any meetings concerning development in this little City of Lake Worth, one example, will get a chuckle from this because it’s so very true. The first reason given above for opposing development is a particularly popular one here.

Most of what’s heard at public comment is pretty much the same everywhere in the country I would presume, especially concerning development, both for and against. For those with the proclivity for theatrics what’s different is the spin or verve in which the 2- or 3-minute comment is given.

Most people who sat or sit now on a dais and listen to public comment would agree with what’s pointed out in #1 above:

“If you’re opposed, just tell us why”.

Excellent point and couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you, Mr. Keshet, and pass along my thanks to the cats too.