The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Working with city hall easier than fighting it
By Stephen Baxter
Four years ago, before Harriet Rowe was a Sunnyvale planning commissioner and a loyal city council watcher, she was an ordinary resident.
She caught wind of a proposed housing development near her home at Sunset Oaks Townhomes, where a developer wanted to build about 16 houses on 1.6 acres. The new back yards would face the Sunset Oaks neighbors, and Rowe thought the front doors should face each other.
Like many residents upset about building plans, she spoke at a planning commission meeting and fumed when they voted against her ideas. She was told that her input came about five months late.
"I was ticked off with the planning commission," Rowe said. "Part of the problem was me; I had come too late in the process. I hadn't seen the posting, and instead of coming in April, I was coming in September. A lot had been worked out with the developer, and I didn't understand that," she said.
She said Councilman John Howe explained the process to her, and she started to attend more commission and council meetings. Details on the development later went before the council, and Rowe's homeowners group secured changes to its color scheme and landscaping.
After Rowe attended a few meetings, she learned how she could influence city decisions.
"It was like starting to watch a soap opera--you don't know the characters, but if you watch it enough, you get caught up," Rowe said.
Many Sunnyvale residents approach the city council about land issues such as proposed homes or a new store after the plan has been refined by city planners. Rowe recommended attending the workshop that is usually held immediately prior to the planning commission hearing.
Rowe said her first negative experience with Sunnyvale City Hall didn't faze her permanently. She eventually applied to the planning commission and began serving on it on July 10, 2006. She said public officials listen to their constituents.
The work also has opened Rowe's mind to other points of view.
"Even when I don't agree with them, the planning commission and the city council are trying to do what's best for the city," Rowe said.
Have it your way
Planning Commissioner Harriet Rowe and others suggest a few ways to have your voice heard.
* Arrive early in the process. As soon as a development is posted at a property, call the number on the sign for more information. The city's website at www.sunnyvale.ca.gov and the city clerk's office at 408.730.7483 may also have information. If it's a zoning change, every resident and business within a perimeter will be notified.
* Call, e-mail or meet with commissioners and city councilmembers prior to meetings. The council can be reached by e-mail at council@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.
* Learn exactly what the planning commission and city council will decide, and what ordinances they must follow.
* Attend workshops held before meetings. They often give context to issues.
* Come to meetings prepared with solutions, not just criticism. Residents can weigh in on decisions with three-minute speeches.
If all else fails, consider an appeal.
