Log in

Osuna: Public meetings need more inclusion

Posted

I watched the City of Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held on June 4, 2020.  I came away with some questions after viewing it.

The agenda included new business regarding 2R Peoria Place: Planned Area Development Amendment and possible action on Case Z06-03A.1.  The area in question is the land located south and west of Grand Avenue at Cotton Crossing.

It appears to me there was not enough notice to the public.  It was reported that only nine residents for the entire southern area responded to the meeting notice.  Apparently, the residents within a mile radius were notified of this project on Sept. 12, 2019 via postcards.  The meeting was held on Sept. 25, 2019.  I live in an HOA within the area and I did not get a notice.  Several neighbors have indicated the same.  The minutes also note the Peoria Unified School District was notified as well.  I did not see PUSD attendees on the sign-in sheet provided in the document. 

Planning and Zoning Chairman Nelson commented and questioned the lack of attendance from the community.  He asked if the notification process was sufficient.  Staff reported the response was common for the area and the response, or lack of, was due to the reduction noted in the amendment for the project.  None of the nine attendees opposed the plan.

I am still of the opinion that notifications for any of the boards and agenda items lack inclusion of the community.  And in this, it appears PUSD was not at the table for discussion.  There is presently a hot topic with student attendance and underusage of schools in the south and I would anticipate much discussion with development in southern Peoria with the school district.

Commissioner Hutchinson stated concern about where new housing students would attend school and how they would commute to their designated school sites.  That is a great question because of the potential changes in the school district and potential dangers of crossing Grand Avenue.

In addition, if I am not incorrect, there are two other housing projects slated for south Peoria that would impact schools.  Has that discussion with the school district occurred? 

I am not against development in south Peoria as I am a 25-year Acacia resident and life-long Peoria resident.  But I have seen south Peoria residents not be included in the discussions mostly due to poor outreach.  We are here and we want to know what is going on with our city and the areas we live in. 

We need a better system of communication to be notified of issues we may be concerned and interested in.   Community response, it was stated, is common for the area.  That may be the case, but it is unacceptable. 

Editor's note: Ms. Osuna is a Peoria resident and a teacher at Pendergast Elementary School in Phoenix.