Cypress Planning Commission Costs

I would like to speak to the informed readers of The Times about the issue of re-establishing our city’s Planning Commission.

This matter has been placed on the ballot so the people of our city would have the opportunity of deciding to go forward and have a Planning Commission, as do 99% of the cities of California.

All of our citizen commissions except the Planning Commission have been re-established over the years. They were abolished in late 1978 after Proposition 13 was passed in June of 1978. Cypress was the only city in the state that did away with citizen-participation commissions.

The supposed purpose was to save costs associated with the commissions. These costs were extremely small compared to our city budget, which was and is in the millions.

The costs to re-establish a Planning Commission have been blown way out of proportion by those arguing against the commission. The inflated cost of $100,000 is simply not justified. The estimated cost is really $23,000.

Please remember that the commission is a great citizen check and balance against a possible three-member council majority that might not act in the best interest of the city.

Planning commissioners are never up for reelection so they are free to give solid and firm advice on recommendations to the council. They do not have to fear retaliation at the polls.

Please remember that under the law and the ordinance establishing the commission that many noncontroversial items are approved at the commission level and need not crowd the council agenda, which causes long, late meetings of the council. Also, any item is always appealable to your council.

JOHN KANEL, Mayor Pro Tem, Cypress