HomeMy WebLinkAboutemail about process ChaneyPagel of 2
Malone, Walter
From: Bozynski, Tony
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:24 AM
To: Carney, Dana; Malone, Walter; Moore, Monte
Subject: FW: Protest of proceedings before the Little Rock Planning Commission
FYI
-----Original Message -----
From: Chaney Rachel - rchane[ma ilto:Rachel. Cha ney@acxiom.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 9:45 AM
To: Carpenter, Tom
Cc: Dawson, Cindy; Bozynski, Tony
Subject: Protest of proceedings before the Little Rock Planning Commission
April 7, 2009
Re: Protest of proceedings before the Little Rock Planning Commission at its April 2, 2009 meeting.
Dear Mr. Carpenter,
On behalf of the Hillsborough subdivision, I am protesting the manner in which the public was not
notified of the change of location of the April 2, 2009, meeting of the Little Rock Planning Commission.
The meeting was moved from its regular meeting place at Little Rock City Hall to a room in the
basement of Robinson Auditorium without any public notification. On the day of the meeting, the Little
Rock Planning Commission's website stated: "Meetings are held on the 2nd floor every other
Thursday 4:00 PM at 500 West Markham Street, Board of Directors Chambers in City Hall." In
fact, the website states this exact same text today. But it is my understanding that the meeting will take
place at an alternate location until the elevator is repaired at City Hall, which is expected to take several
months.
The Hillsborough neighborhood has been actively involved in all Little Rock Planning Commission
meetings regarding the Rahling Road Land Use and Zoning Application (LU 08-10-02; Z8165 -A). Our
representative, David Laumer, was prepared to address the Little Rock Planning Commission at the
April 2, 2009, meeting. But Mr. Laumer went to Little Rock City Hall, where he assumed the meeting
would be held. He saw a sign at City Hall directing him to Robinson. In his own words, here is what
happened: "I did the whole Rocky Balboa deal on the stairs and then went around the side and wandered
around until I found someone who could direct me. I never saw a sign anywhere at Robinson. The
insiders knew where to go and nobody thought of the rest of us."
Needless to say, Mr. Laumer was late for the meeting. When he attempted to address the Little Rock
Planning Commission, he was told that the opposition's time was up. Casey Tucker, representing the
Villages of Wellington, was asked to return to the podium to answer a question and Mr. Laumer joined
her. When Mr. Laumer attempted to answer the question, he was told by Planning Commission Director
Rector that he was "out of order."
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (A.C.A. 25-19-101) requires "the time and place of
each regular meeting shall be furnished to anyone who requests the information." Mr. Laumer has
attended each Little Rock Planning Commission meeting regarding the Rahling Road rezoning issue. He
4/7/2009
Page 2 of 2
is notified by the Little Rock Planning Commission of upcoming meetings regarding this issue. But he
was not notified of the change of location.
Attorney General Winston Bryant addressed the subject of changing the location of a public meeting in a
Nov. 18, 1997, attorney general opinion. In that opinion, Mr. Bryant found "whether the meeting in
question is a regular meeting or a special meeting, notification to those who have requested it is
required." Mr. Laumer has filled out the Little Rock Planning Commission notification card.
On March 5, 2009, you sent a letter to Tony Bozynski, director of Planning and Development, directing
him to hold a new hearing on the amendments filed by the applicant regarding the Rahling Road zoning
issue. On that same day, you sent a letter to John Spivey, attorney for the applicant, notifying him that
"unfortunately, there was some kind of misunderstanding in my office as to the conclusion as to what
the Commission should consider."
It is my opinion that there was also a misunderstanding about the location of the Planning Commission
meeting which unfairly prevented Mr. Laumer from addressing the Planning Commission. I hope you
will treat this complaint with the same fairness that you treated Mr. Spivey's complaint about the
Planning Commission's review of the entire application rather than just the proposed amendments.
Sincerely,
Rachel O'Neal Chaney
13900 Beckenham Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212
312-2205 (home)
252-7436 (work)
837-2434 (cell)
Rachel Chaney ! Copy Writer
Acxiom Global Marketing
501-252-7436 office 1501-837-2434 cell 1501-252-1854 fax
501 East Third I Little Rock, AR, 72201 1 Country I www.p0-j9m.coo __
global interac lve marketing services
4/7/2009