Two decades ago, we were each privileged to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council to serve on the Gloucester Planning Board.
We soon learned one of the most important lessons of local governance — that as citizen-volunteers, we had a responsibility to listen to the voice of the people and make decisions in their best interests and the best interests of the city. And, it had to be done in conformance with our duties as laid out in the city charter.
The city charter, if you will, is our local constitution. Section 5 clearly lays out the Planning Purposes:
“Planning for the city shall be considered an ongoing process where economic development, environmental protection and the preservation of the city’s heritage and neighborhood identity are balanced through citizen involvement and professional guidance.”
The key phrase in this column is “citizen involvement.” This is particularly important today, as Gloucester begins the process of conforming with the MBTA Communities Zoning Act to zone for multi-family housing near the downtown T station.
The phase soon to begin at City Hall highlights the role of residents in the zoning planning process. On Monday, March 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Gloucester will hold its first public meeting to provide residents with background information on the law’s purpose and how the zoning ordinance can be best written for Gloucester.
It is at this early stage that the residents’ voices will be heard by decision makers as crucial to the drafting of the new ordinance.
Some of the public debate so far has centered on the false assertion that the process of conforming to the legislative mandate to establish a new zoning district diminishes citizen involvement.
Far from it. The drafting of any zoning ordinance requires hearings for public comment at both the Planning Board and City Council levels.
Further, the consultant hired to provide “professional guidance” to the city on drafting the ordinance recommends going beyond the necessary legal hearing requirements and start first with a public forum on the matter.
The city is wisely following the consultant’s recommendation “… to engage the public very early in the process before decisions are made on district locations and zoning to ensure they understand the law and guidelines and have a chance to weigh in on location.” So, on Monday, March 25, this first public meeting will provide residents with background information on the law’s purpose and how the zoning ordinance can best be written for Gloucester and in conformance with legislative intent.
This is an especially important stage. It is where residents will be invited to weigh in on their ideas prior to the making of any official decisions by the Planning Board and City Council.
In this informal conversation with local officials and the city consultant, residents can express how they want the ordinance to not only conform with state law but best preserve “the city’s heritage and neighborhood identity.”
An example of what will be on the mind of many is the issue of height restrictions. Section 3.1.6 of the Gloucester Zoning Ordinance defines the maximum height of buildings and the criteria necessary for either the Zoning Board of Appeals or the City Council to grant exceptions to the rule.
Because the discussion on building height will be one the most important subjects of the housing density debate, it is important for people to express their opinions on this important aspect of the new ordinance early on.
The job of the seaport resident in the rezoning process is to be present, learn, and speak up.
The job of the Planning Board and City Council is to listen and hear what the people have to say.
Only then can city officials act with the knowledge and a full understanding necessary in making the right decisions for our city.
One of the obligations of citizenship is to be informed and participate in how our laws are made and executed. This is especially true at the local level of government — that which is closest to us all.
Let’s honor the American principle that the people have a say in how their government works and show up at City Hall on Monday March 25. The future of our city depends on it.
Jack Clarke and Paul Lundberg are former chairpersons of the Gloucester Planning Board. Paul Lundberg is also former president of the Gloucester City Council.