Perhaps it’s because my institutional memory is too short, but the current search for a new Planning and Zoning commissioner seems a little dicier than usual.
Arguably the most powerful commission in the city, P&Z has had an open spot since Vicki Curby decided not to apply for another appointment in April. The City Council has kept that seat vacant, twice delaying the application deadline.
The council is not required to fill a vacancy, but Third Ward Councilman Karl Skala said it usually does. To his knowledge, this hasn’t happened before.
A bit of background:
Back in April, there were two vacancies. Commissioner Doug Wheeler was reappointed to his spot. Two other applicants were interviewed for Curby’s, but neither particularly impressed the council, which extended the deadline.
Then, by the last deadline in mid-June, only two others had applied. They have the credentials of a good commissioner, with years of experience dealing with the ins and outs of development and zoning. But the reason for their qualifications is also the problem — they’re closely affiliated with developers.
Rusty Strodtman works for Jose and Jay Lindner’s Forum Development Group, one of the best known home-grown development companies in Columbia. He’s the leasing manager there and no doubt is very familiar with the city’s zoning process.
Don Stamper was the Boone County presiding cCommissioner for 12 years and also served on the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission. He was involved in the Old Hawthorne development, works for Con Agg and is director of the Central Missouri Development Council (basically a lobbying group for developers).
The council couldn’t very well say that the two candidates were underqualified this time. Still, Skala moved to extend the deadline, saying the pool of candidates was too small. He added that there might be too many conflicts of interest with Stamper or Strodtman.
By the most recent application deadline, the council now has a hefty applicant pool of 13 to choose from. Their selection could very well turn into political ammunition for those opposed to council members aligned with the so-called “smart growth” faction of the city.
It’s not like the direction of the commission hangs in the balance. It is securely controlled by members who demonstrate more environmental protection and controlled-growth sentiments.
But the selection could be perceived as agenda driven. For instance, two of the new candidates with experience on zoning and development issues are also members of the Boone County Smart Growth Coalition. Skala and Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe are also coalition members.
Strodtman had mentioned to me that he was concerned the council did not have a set method for commissioner selection. He told the Columbia Chamber of Commerce that.
Chamber President Don Laird said the organization’s Community Engagement Committee could make a recommendation to the council on setting up a process, depending on how the appointment turns out.
At the council meeting Monday night, Second Ward Councilman Jason Thornhill worried that there is no process in place for appointments to boards and commissions. He said it seemed like the council had been looking for the “perfect candidate,” and that was unfair to those who met the original deadlines.
“I’m kind of learning as I go, and I think many commissioners could do the same,” the rookie councilman said.
Other council members seemed to agree it was a good idea and implied they’d take it up at a work session.
The council will interview candidates on July 20. View their applications here.
And if you haven’t seen these already, here’s the take on the situation by some seasoned political observers:
Filed under: City Government, Politics
