New! Plan Commission Guidelines

From SaveGrantPark.org --

WE GOT WORD LATE TODAY THAT THEY ARE CHANGING A NUMBER OF RULES TOMORROW SO PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

They are NOT going to make this easy. They are trying to demoralize us by limiting testimony. This is not an objective process.

Please read these revised rules for the Plan Commission Meeting on Thursday, May 15, at 1:00 in City Council Chambers in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle.

It is strongly advised that people get there as early as possible. Please also work this evening to find additional people to join us. We expect the museum to try and occupy all the seats.

For those who live at 340, 360 and 400 East Randolph - please try to get your neighbors to attend. You will have the strongest standing with the committee and ability to cross examine :batman:. Not everyone can cross-examine, but ANYONE CAN TESTIFY IF YOU SIGN-UP.

REVISED FAQ SHEET
THE CITY HAS CHANGED ALL OF THE PROCEDURES FOR PLAN COMMISSION. PLEASE READ BELOW:
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 15th at 1:00pm in CityCouncil Chamberson the 2nd floor of City Hall. The doors will open at 12:30. If you would like a seat, of course, arrive ahead of time.
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">You must sign in to testify. Signing in consists of filling out a short form supplied by the City at the hearing. THE CITY HAS DESIGNED NEW FORMS AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING THE OLD FORMS. You must be present to fill out the form AND speak.
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">The City is limiting testimony to 3 minutes. They will be turning off the microphone if you go over.
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">The City is also limiting access to Chambers. There will be Fire Marshals stationed outside of Chambers and will hold people out in the hall once they reach capacity. If you are waiting in the hall and it is your turn to testify, you will be escorted in to speak then out after your 3 minutes are up.
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">You must make sure your sign-in sheet is in the hands of the City (the representative collecting them at the hearing) prior to the beginning of the presentation for the Children's Museum. The Museum is now item #2 of 3.
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">You must check the AGAINST THE PROPOSAL box, if you fail to do so, they may not allow you to testify.
<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">You must be present when your name is called to testify.

Testimony can consist of a speech, a presentation (please bring a flashdrive or CD---there will be a laptop there) or questions posed to individuals who were part of CCM's presentation to the Commission. The current limitation on such questions are from individuals who own property within the "effected area" (the 250' radius of the project). Although if you happen to not live within that radius, it is worth a try to ask a question if you have one.
THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THIS OUT TO BE A NIMBY ISSUE! BUT AS OUR COALITION SHOWS, THIS IS A CITY WIDE OPPOSITION TO DEVELOPMENT IN GRANT PARK. THE LAW MATTERS!

From Richard Ward --

By changing the "rules" at the last moment, the Plan Commission members, all appointed by our mayor, are demonstrating their lack of objectivity. They could have just pretended to listen to endless testimony, and then voted to approve the CCM land grab.

If we knew the new "3-minute rule" a week ago, we could have organized dozens of persons to focus on a multitude of arguments. Now, how can you help overcome this unfair tactic: please spend a few minutes this evening reviewing the many linked CCM pages and subpages on the website index (http://neweastside.org) I suggest that you copy and print notes for yourself, and then read them into the record at the hearing. The Supreme Court decisions are full of good arguments, with useful notes in the right margin of the decisions.

Again, these are the special NEW RULES, designed to limit the depth of testimony, and prevent the well-documented PowerPoint arguments that we had prepared.