There is a continued hearing tomorrow today, April 28, at 3:15 p.m., on the Schools and Parks Code Refinement project.  The Bureau of Planning & Sustainability's project page is here.

I am impressed with and supportive of the Planning Commission's recomendations on the Schools issues.  I am concerned about the Parks proposals, which would allow many "improvements" to be done by right, that are currently subject to a Conditional Use land use review, with public notice and an independent decision-maker.  A "Good Neighbor Agreement" process is proposed instead of a land use review for many park changes.  The Good Neighbor Agreement process would take longer, and not provide the possibility of appeal to the Hearings Officer, Council, or the Land Use Board of Appeals.

The Bureau of Planning proposed amendments yesterday that fix an unintended problem pointed out by neighbors at the hearing last week, that college athletics fields were inadvertently included in the new process.  I will be proposing amendments at the hearing later today, too.  I've posted them here and comments here on my "What Happened?" page.

Since the hearing was continued last week, the Council will take testimony on the amendments today.  Even if the majority of the Council supports the proposal, it will go to a vote next week at Second Reading.  So if you're interested, there is time to look into the links, and send the Council your opinion and advice.