Hi Randy-
Interesting concept the idea of set times for hearings—sounds as if it would call for a level of organization not yet reached by the City….But, as you are no doubt aware, this current crop of Supervisors and Commissioners loath public comment and have done everything in their power to cut it or eliminate it. For example, it didn’t make a ripple or even get reported on but the Planning Commission under Cindy Wu (a “progressive”) made a quiet rule change that was devastating to public comment last year at the Planning Commission. They instituted the “team” concept of limiting public comment that has been in place at the Board of Appeals for some time. So, if someone wants to speak on an item in which they are a party or have an interest, their entire “team” has to speak within the same time frame. So if a resident, tenant or homeowner has a project or objects to a project, everyone of their family members, architects, engineers, attorneys, expediters or other consultants must speak in the 3 or 5 min slot. In the past, the Planning Commission was a place where EVERYONE got to speak and everyone got at least 3 min to add to public comment and if it went to the Board of Appeals, that was more limited (like an appellant court if you will) using the “team” concept. Now, the public input and comment is tightly limited from the very beginning. This was instituted last January 2014 and I have watched folks really struggle with the concept and the practical application of the new rule to cut public comment….The Board of Appeals also famously moved public comment to the END of the meetings a few years ago and since that time there has been virtually NO public comment….at all….ever.
Steve
