Were taxpayers subsidizing builders?

It was clear several years ago during the Your City Your Decision budget process that the Planning department was not recovering very much of its costs. This should be no surprise to anyone. Although it's late in getting fixed, it's good to see that it is.

We have a flawed process with over regulation with personal staff preferences injected in the process. The real issue is that we have a dysfunctional planning department that takes too long to do the job. And developers are being blamed for staff inefficiencies? Why should developers pick up the tab for staff inefficincies. Menlo Park should disband the Planning Department and outsource the work to an A&E firm. We should also streamline the process. The problem with our city Government is that it is too big and spends too much time picking fly-poop out of pepper rather than concentrating on doing their jobs efficiently and effectively.

Hank, this is one of those times I REALLY wish I was in a position not to need to hide behind an alias. I could not disagree with you more. I do believe that developers get a bad wrap in MP. I do believe that this town needs to wake up and recognize that "new" and "change" and "growth" are not four-letter words. However, in my view, I am constantly amazed and impressed by what the outstanding staff of the MP Planning Dept. are able to accomplish given the political environment within which they have to function. They are not inefficient nor dysfunctional. Every one with whom I've interfaced is competent, professional and a true pleasure to work with. Over-regulation, yes, you bet, but don't shoot the messengers, please.

So, you're advocating leaving fly poop in pepper? You don't throw many dinner parties, do you Hank?

Or maybe he does. Glad I'm not on his guest list.

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?