When Information Is In Question
by Greg Dale

Greg Dale on what to do when you don't believe what you're hearing?

During your service as a planning commissioner you will often confront the question of what to do when you believe (or know) that information being presented to the commission is untrue. Let us begin by considering a hypothetical situation.

An applicant appears before your commission requesting site plan approval. Your ordinance contains standards that site plans must meet. One of those standards relates to documenting and mitigating, if necessary, the impact of any stormwater runoff on downstream properties. The developer, as part of his presentation, submits a civil engineer's report that demonstrates that the development will satisfy the city's requirements, in part because the city's existing stormwater facilities have adequate capacity. On the other hand, a nearby homeowner opposed to the development argues that the existing stormwater facilities are inadequate, and states that his basement has frequently been flooded. How do you handle this situation? . ...

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