I’m concerned about (my)Ward 3 City Councilor Laurie Loisel’s position concerning two-family housing construction (“City eases path for duplex construction,” Gazette, May 23), saying that public hearing portions of the site plan reviews tend to, in her opinion, give members of the public the false impression that they have authority to deny the project. Really? Are we to imagine that thoughtful comments offered by residents, often painstakingly written to fit into two minutes, are irrelevant to the conversation and ultimate decision to be made by whatever board/council hears them? Is it too far a reach to imagine that councilors expand their thinking upon hearing from the public, indeed that they might change their opinion, in this case, based on comments by abutters to large lots that would accommodate a two-family house?
Public comment is often the very topic of public comment, with residents expressing frustration that councilors and/or the mayor are looking at their phones or not making eye contact with the speaker. Public comment is a treasured and critical opportunity to speak directly to councilors and to be heard by the wider community. This zoning change which removes public review of duplex construction is depressing to those of us who are advocating for more openness in city government. And, in that context it’s unsettling to hear Councilor Loisel’s justification, implying, as she did, that residents should understand we (anyway) lack any authority in decision-making and, on some level, we should not expect our comments will impact decisions being made.
Claudia Lefko
Northampton