The following letter was a paid advertisement which John Cossick and Mary Wood placed in the Montrose Daily Press on 5 February 2006:
We are conservative, 30 year Montrose County residents and owners of a small farm…who have never been involved in any previous legal action; but now find ourselves filing our third legal appeal - relating to the Planning Committee’s approval of the “Pond’s Edge” development. This action is not entered lightly, as we are not particularly amused at having already spent a significant percentage of our annual income (with no prospect of recovering these legal expenses) - merely to force our county officials to follow their own minimal regulations.
Perhaps it is naïve for us to expect a neutral, impartial, and thorough development review - when the vast majority of the Planning Commission members have backgrounds linked to real estate and/or development interests…
Nevertheless, after having two previous approval decisions remanded back to them for correction (with the generous cooperation of the developer, who temporarily “withdrew” his application - allowing the county to save face), one would reasonably expect some commissioner and staff recognitions that - rules and regulations exist for a purpose, and are meant to be followed. But you would be wrong…
The record will show that the Planning Commission and staff - using the very same creative interpretations/rationalizations of plainly worded regulations which precipitated the last appeal - again recommended approval, despite the applicant and staff’s failure to comply with several regulations. We welcome your review of the record, which will expose such explanations and excuses as: 1) “substantial compliance”; 2) “that’s how we’ve always done things”; 3) “that’s never been a problem,” and; 4) “we’re just trying to expedite the process.” Apparently, the basic purpose of the specified timelines and regulations - to allow all parties adequate time for informed review of a completed plan - completely escapes them.
An independent observer of this 2-year debacle might reasonably conclude that the Planning Commission and staff would rather risk being proven negligent and incompetent - 3 times, than possibly change their time-honored way of doing business: continually operating in a de-facto “waiver mode” - disregarding any annoying or inconvenient requirements (as well as public and attorney input - pointing them out), selective reference to isolated sentences of the Master Plan while totally ignoring its primary concept of “strengthening & enhancing agriculture to preserve our rural heritage,” accepting a developer’s verbal assurances of “future” compliance…with a shameless pre-disposition for approval. Of course, the word, “waiver” is never actually mentioned, because it would obviously violate the definition - that waivers should be reserved for occasional, exceptional circumstances.
Full acknowledgement of the rules would evidently set an unworkable precedent and “hardship” for future development approvals - actually requiring them to fully comply with all pertinent regulations. What a concept!
And the worst part of all - for every “Pond’s Edge” being challenged by some idealistic party - willing to throw his money away, trying to make a difference - there are numerous other projects being approved without proper review because most regular citizens can’t afford the time to attend these excuses-for-public-hearings, or to retain attorneys to advocate their positions. This situation has, not surprisingly, created an attitude of frustration and resignation undoubtedly welcomed by the planners and developers.
Well, gentlemen - there’s a commonly accepted rule-of-thumb that basically says; “Three strikes and you’re out.” This is number 3 for the Planning Commission. Their continued, repeated abuse of the public trust is an insult, disservice, and liability to this county. These folks work for you; and you work for us - all the citizens of Montrose County - 18th fastest growing micropolitan area in the nation. This Planning Commission’s performance (not us) has basically put you on the hot seat…And we trust that you will do the right thing; but just in case… you will be happy to hear that we have a back-up plan: because when elected officials fail to lead, and fail to set a tone of duty / honor / commitment from the top down, then the electorate has no choice but to impose it from the bottom-up. We care about what is right, not who is right.
In due time - you will find yourselves and your subordinates being confronted and scrutinized by representatives of a newly-formed organization, whose sole purpose is to organize, galvanize and give voice to the majority of frustrated and demoralized citizens of the county who rightfully expect a commitment to moderate and sensible growth, complete transparency, accountability, and preservation of our quality of life. The organization will be apolitical, non-partisan, and separate from any other organization. It will provide its contributors / members with a web site to follow recent events and share information, as well as a monthly itemized accounting of its expenditures - thereby facilitating citizen participation. As a result, you will receive regular, intense input from a previously unorganized and ignored constituency - dare I say, the MAJORITY of this community - to counter balance the developer-driven agenda that has disproportionately dominated this county. Informed participation is the life blood of democracy, and gentlemen - that is what you will have. Let’s just say that we believe it’s important for you to become “reacquainted” with your real constituency - and it’s also important for us - all of us - to be able to look our grandkids in the eye, and honestly say that we did our part to maintain the values which make this special place our home.
You are either part of the solution, or you are part of the problem. We look forward to working with you.
John Cossick & Mary Wood
5 February 2006
