I note the recent article "Rezoning opponents win a battle in Tara." How could that happen? Many Amendment 4 proponents would lead us to believe that all the town and city boards are in the pockets of developers and builders -- and that the people have no say in the final decision of planning boards and county and city commissioners. Don't the amendment's supporters know that the majority of applications for rezoning and exceptional changes to comprehensive plans are turned down after long periods of planning, official presentations and, especially, compulsory meeting with citizens who live in the neighborhoods affected by proposed changes? Of course they know, but they prefer to have us believe that the efforts of developers are usually and quickly approved. Hogwash!
The Tara residents appeared at a meeting, as required by all planning boards and commissioners. The people objected to the developer's proposal because the planned use might affect property values. The board listened, and turned down the rezoning attempt. That's the way the system works.
Boards sometimes override the neighbors' request, but only when board members judge in a majority vote that the rezoning or change in the comprehensive plan is good for the community. And they did just that in spring 2010. The Sarasota City Commission rejected a request for a comprehensive plan change when a huge majority of neighbors spoke for the change.
Let the local government boards do the work they were elected to do. Vote no on Amendment 4, and become active by attending board meetings that concern your neighborhood.
Charles J. Palmeri
Sarasota
