Walton commission considering new magistrate position
Saturday
By Deborah Wheeler | 315-4432 | @WaltonSunDeb | dwheeler@waltonsun.com
At Tuesday morning's Board of County Commission meeting, new District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson asked County Attorney Mark Davis to draft a proposal that would change the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to allow a special magistrate to hear all quasi-judicial land development issues.
Before such a draft could pass a vote of the BCC, two public hearings would be required, advised Davis.
District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander said she has no objection to a special magistrate as those serving on the Planning Commission are voluntary but she would still like to see the Planning Commission used for legislative items.
"The Planning Commission would have to exist for review of major development items," said Davis.
Comander said what concerns her more, though, is whether commissioners are giving away more and more of their responsibility.
"People look to us to make the right decisions," she said. "Are we giving up our responsibilities?"
Anderson said the commission wouldn't necessarily have to give up any responsibilities.
"It allows a professional to look at this, but we still have a vote," said Anderson. "I am seeing more and more counties doing this."
However, District 3 Commissioner Melanie Nipper said she is very concerned.
"First code enforcement, and now planning," she said. "I am very adamant about everyone getting a voice. There may be times we need a special magistrate, but not every time. I am concerned about taking politics out of it."
People in the audience also questioned the need, with South Walton resident and business owner Dave Rauschkolb asking Anderson outright "Why?"
"It takes the politics out of it," answered Anderson. "A professional will know code better than anyone up here. If I want a project done and I am pushing code to get it done ...; it takes us out of it. It doesn't mean we can't do this. Escambia does it."
South Walton resident Jacquee Markel also expressed her concerns that such a move is a sign that the public's need to know exactly what is going on and to be able to get a detailed explanation would change.
"What is extremely concerning to me is that voices would be silenced," she said. "I want detailed explanations. Why the change, what would it do, what about the ability to comment, and what would the result be? We pay salaries. This is a huge change and we want the public to know. I want to have input."
"And you will have," Anderson assured her. "We want the public to know. This is not to silence the public."
Davis agreed with Anderson that commissioners cannot cut off public comment. Davis went on to say that several counties use magistrates from Tallahassee, but such a move would involve a substantial change in the LDC.
Davis said he will start the draft if directed.
District 2 Commissioner and Chair Cecilia Jones said she would like as much information as possible and would like to see what other counties are doing.
"The adjustment does take politics out of it," she said.
Davis said he could have a draft for the last meeting in February.
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"It takes the politics out of it," - Commissioner Anderson
"The adjustment does take politics out of it," - Commissioner Jones
Does it really? Sounds like quite the opposite. Furthers an agenda and silences the public...
Saturday
By Deborah Wheeler | 315-4432 | @WaltonSunDeb | dwheeler@waltonsun.com
At Tuesday morning's Board of County Commission meeting, new District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson asked County Attorney Mark Davis to draft a proposal that would change the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to allow a special magistrate to hear all quasi-judicial land development issues.
Before such a draft could pass a vote of the BCC, two public hearings would be required, advised Davis.
District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander said she has no objection to a special magistrate as those serving on the Planning Commission are voluntary but she would still like to see the Planning Commission used for legislative items.
"The Planning Commission would have to exist for review of major development items," said Davis.
Comander said what concerns her more, though, is whether commissioners are giving away more and more of their responsibility.
"People look to us to make the right decisions," she said. "Are we giving up our responsibilities?"
Anderson said the commission wouldn't necessarily have to give up any responsibilities.
"It allows a professional to look at this, but we still have a vote," said Anderson. "I am seeing more and more counties doing this."
However, District 3 Commissioner Melanie Nipper said she is very concerned.
"First code enforcement, and now planning," she said. "I am very adamant about everyone getting a voice. There may be times we need a special magistrate, but not every time. I am concerned about taking politics out of it."
People in the audience also questioned the need, with South Walton resident and business owner Dave Rauschkolb asking Anderson outright "Why?"
"It takes the politics out of it," answered Anderson. "A professional will know code better than anyone up here. If I want a project done and I am pushing code to get it done ...; it takes us out of it. It doesn't mean we can't do this. Escambia does it."
South Walton resident Jacquee Markel also expressed her concerns that such a move is a sign that the public's need to know exactly what is going on and to be able to get a detailed explanation would change.
"What is extremely concerning to me is that voices would be silenced," she said. "I want detailed explanations. Why the change, what would it do, what about the ability to comment, and what would the result be? We pay salaries. This is a huge change and we want the public to know. I want to have input."
"And you will have," Anderson assured her. "We want the public to know. This is not to silence the public."
Davis agreed with Anderson that commissioners cannot cut off public comment. Davis went on to say that several counties use magistrates from Tallahassee, but such a move would involve a substantial change in the LDC.
Davis said he will start the draft if directed.
District 2 Commissioner and Chair Cecilia Jones said she would like as much information as possible and would like to see what other counties are doing.
"The adjustment does take politics out of it," she said.
Davis said he could have a draft for the last meeting in February.
================================================
"It takes the politics out of it," - Commissioner Anderson
"The adjustment does take politics out of it," - Commissioner Jones
Does it really? Sounds like quite the opposite. Furthers an agenda and silences the public...
