Minutes 02/22/1977 - Laserfiche WebLink

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'42 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 1977 expense; and I extend to them my sincere feelings of regret. These citizens had exercised their indubitable rights. Apart from any ideology of the law, their right to what they consider the protection of their property is basic. Two weeks ago this Council had the opportunity, after all due process, to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission for what I consider the adequate reasons the Planning Commission cited. (Apparently, the petitioner found the Planning Commission position not legally insecure; otherwise, he would not have withdrawn). It seems to me they should have been entitled to the same benefits and protection as has been accorded rather routinely to citizens in other sections of the community. Time and again, in my experience on Council, recommendations from the Planning Commission have been acted upon when brought before CQuncil at the appointed time and I think this should have been the case two weeks ago. The Council ought to have been concerned with horse sense, not legal gymnastics. As has been ably put by the chairman of the Planning Commission, (a competent lawyer, himself) zoning decisions are "best made by elected representatives, not by judges." Obviously, any decision made by a governing body is open to pursuit in the courts. Nevertheless, if there is to be a panoply of "hearings" after "hearings" over every decision; then, confusion, indecision and disruption can only follow. It's my understanding that the petitioner will resubmit to the Planning Commission and I'm of the opinion the new petition will be "dressed-up." However, I wonder -- as the late Honorable Robert Whitehead used to say in the legislative halls in Richmond -- "If it will be the same old coon with a new ring around it's tail." I regret keenly the fact that the good citizens on the Souths ide will have to be burdened again with the time and expense of public hearings and bureaucratic maize that one more vote on the Council two weeks ago would have made unnecessary. On behalf of the Virginia Recreation & Parks Society, Council--through Mayor Hobson--presented special awards to Mr. Clyde Lawson (individually), the Martinsville Exchange Club, and the Martinsville Police Department in recognition of their support of the many youth programs in the community as well as (of) their financial aid toward providing and/or improving local recreational facilities.