Democracy for Land Use - Non Existent in Boise, Idaho
01-05-07 - North America — , Idaho
Democracy for the people was not served or even slightly represented at the December, 2006 meeting of the Boise, Idaho Ada County Commissioners. The night was set to decide on the controversial development of a large wildlife area called Hammer Flat.
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Democracy for the people was not served or even slightly represented at the December, 2006 meeting of the Boise, Idaho Ada County Commissioners. The night was set to decide on the controversial development of a large wildlife area called Hammer Flat. A vast wildlife area and prehistoric site, Skyline Development has its sights on a 1,500 home planned community there, all to the detriment of the many animals that live and winter there. if you believe in democracy, on that evening, it was not served.
The commissioners completely ignored the sentiments of letters, emails, public outcry and testimony of over 3,300 people for the past year, including Native American tribes who traveled to testify of their ancestor's history on the land.
Despite the commissioners being in hot water for holding an illegal closed door meeting last year, the same commissioners deliberated for 90 minutes before giving the project a rubber-stamp approval. The fact that a proper development plan was not even complete was also ignored.
Astonishing and perhaps most disturbing of all was the fact that in doing so, the Boise Idaho Ada County Commissioners violated the following laws:
1. The Land Use Planning Act - ignored
2. Idaho Fish and Game founding act - debated and dismissed
3. Ada County Comprehensive Plan - ignored as if it did not exist
4. Blueprint for Good Growth. The application is still so incomplete that there is not a hint of what they intend to use for an entrance road.
The only real question is who will be the first to file legal action and upon what grounds. When governmental agencies fail to follow their own rules and regulations, the courts supply the justice. In that regard, it was not a victory in any sense for the organized and effective group of citizens in the community who thought a democratic process would take place. Apparently none exists here. The group known as savetheplateau.org, stated emphatically this is not the end of the game. In coming days, SaveThePlateau, various governmental and non-governmental agencies will be reviewing the record of decision and discussing legal options.
Submitted by J. Summers Duffy, Archaeologist/Curator Albertson College of Id. OJSmith Museum
Send comments to savetheplateau.org and let them know where you read this. Thank you. "
Full story:
Written by J. Summers Duffy Contributed by:
J. Summers Duffy, Archaeologist/Curator Albertson College of Id. OJSmith Museum
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