Leopold Calls for Extra Hearing Before Council Considers District 6 and 7 Zoning

A week after criticizing the county’s comprehensive zoning process, and threatening to withdraw a recent zoning proposal, County Executive John Leopold issued his plan for more transparency on Monday.

Leopold’s plan is to hold an additional meeting on June 16 to hear any citizen comments on the zoning proposals for Districts 6 and 7. He sent a letter to the Planning Advisory Board’s Chairman, Mary Alter, informing her of this course of action, and his reasoning.

“Comprehensive zoning in Districts 1 and 4 has already been completed, but through a process that I believe failed to provide the public with adequate transparency and opportunity to be heard during the amendment process,” Leopold said.

The hearing set to be held on June 16 before the Planning Advisory Board will allow citizens to air concerns for any zoning application submitted to the council.  Their concerns will be transcribed and given to the council for their consideration.

Leopold said that he and the council came to this agreement together. And that this same process would be followed in future comprehensive zoning considerations, including those upcoming for Districts 2, 3 and 5.

"After consultation with the members of the County Council, we agree that we can improve this process in collaboration with the Planning Advisory Board," he said.

Leopold’s proposal comes mid-stream as the council was set to hear legislation concerning zoning for Districts 6 and 7 later this month. The PAB has already issued their recommendation for just under 50 zoning applications for the council’s review.

However, the additional hearing schedule on June 16 still allows the council to hold its June 20 review of Districts 6 and 7’s zoning applications without a delay.