Our Opinion

By: By Jeff Poole Review Managing Editor | Orange County Review
Published: July 02, 2009

Tuesday evening, the Orange County Board of Supervisors discussed the notion of reorganizing and reconstituting the Orange County Planning Commission.
The idea originated in February when District 2 Supervisor Zack Burkett said fewer planning commission members could make for a more organized effort overall.
"I would like to see the size of the planning commission come down," Burkett said then. "I think in general large committees are not as effective as small ones."
District 3 Supervisor Teel Goodwin said there weren't too many cooks spoiling the broth, but reorganization could be warranted.
"I think we could get more use from the planning commission if we were more aligned with them," Burkett said.
Whoa.
The absolute last thing we need to do is align our planning commissioners' terms with those of their appointing supervisors. Certainly, the number of commissioners may seem unwieldy, but not when we consider the breadth of experience, analysis and insight each member brings to their post.
Ten planning commission members guarantee a range of representation, voices and input that is essential and critical to evaluating the key issues our community faces.
At the same time, their staggered terms allow for varied opinions on a panel assigned to thoroughly investigate, evaluate and validate growth, development, planning and zoning issues.
Dissension creates discourse which is only be a good thing when issues of public interest are at stake.
Ultimately, the final decision on land use issues always resides with the board of supervisors. Reducing the planning commission or realigning its members only minimizes its effectiveness and purpose and removes government one step further away from those it purports to represent.
The planning commission is not a political board–nor should it ever be. Instead, it should be as it has been–an advisory board, a group of public servants who can ask questions and seek answers without the threat of looming elections.
We don't want our commissioners looking over their shoulders at winking or frowning supervisors. We want them looking ahead.

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