Petition to Not Take Away Residents’ Public Notification Rights in Garner

THIS PETITION IS CLOSED

Result: Partial Success. Council Voted to Keep Renter’s Notification Rights but Reduced the Notification Area to 800 feet from 1000.

Petition

The Town of Garner's current town law requires that all residents with 1000 feet of a proposed rezoning or other significant development project receive a notification regarding those proposals.

This existing law is fair and equitable and promotes community awareness, engagement, and participation in the growth of our community.

However...

The Town of Garner is considering a change to the existing town law (a.k.a Uniform Development Ordinance (UDO)) that would strip away renters’ existing right to be notified of rezonings and other significant development affecting their neighborhoods.

It would also shrink the notice area by 50%, for homeowners, meaning fewer residents would receive notification of rezonings and other significant development near their homes.

Please Sign this Petition to let the Town of Garner know that you do not support taking away existing notification rights of residents.

IMPORTANT DATES

December 20th

A Public Hearing was held on this Amendment on December 20th and the Town Council voted 4-1 to refer it to the Planning Commission.

JANUARY 9th

Garner Planning Commission Review of Amendment

The Garner Planning Commission reviewed and made recommendations regarding this Amendment at their monthly meeting on January 9, 2023 at Town Hall at 7pm.

The Planning Commission Voted 4-3 to keep the notification distance at its current 1000 feet.

However, in that same vote did not preserve renters’ rights to be notified (hence the 3 no votes).

JANUARY 31st (6:00pm at Town Hall)

Update: Garner Town Council will Discuss The Amendment and MAY Consider Adoption of The Amendment to Reduce Notification Rights

The Garner Town Council has put the Amendment on the agenda for January 31th Work Session for further discussion. They will discuss it and possible changes and MAY vote on this matter! (It also may be discussed and an actual vote scheduled for a future agenda) but the public must make sure to be heard by January 31st.

There will be no formal opportunity for the public to speak because it is a work session but it IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND!

You can still attend and be present to let the council know that you are opposed to it and that you are watching!

Attend if you can OR if you cannot…

…sign the Petition and/or email Council Members to let them know you oppose this removal of residents’ rights.

Ken Marshburn Mayor kmarshburn@garnernc.gov

Kathy Behringer Council Member kbehringer@garnernc.gov

Demian Dellinger Council Member ddellinger@garnernc.gov

Phil Matthews Council Member pmatthews@garnernc.gov

Gra Singleton Council Member gsingleton@garnernc.gov

Elmo Vance Mayor Pro Tem (Council Member) evance@garnernc.gov

Some Petition Signatory Comments

“In the interest of transparency, I feel the current UDO gives people an opportunity to be informed. There is no additional costs to the city. I was at the Board meeting where this was brought up and the Town Manager acknowledged that the cost of a mailing is less than $100. This cost could easily be paid by the developer and often is in most places. What is the purpose of the change? I think if you want your public to believe everything is above board on decisions you should try to let people in the UDO know before it happens, not afterwards.”

Resident A.D.

“With all the growth and changes happening in Garner, residents need to be made aware of opportunities to have their voices heard on issues that will directly affect their neighborhoods. I urge the town to not lower the notice radius.”

Resident A.B.

“I do not support doing less to keep citizens aware of upcoming changes.”

Resident L.J.

“The existing law is fair and equitable and promotes community awareness, engagement, and participation in the growth of our community. I DO NOT support doing less to keep citizens aware of upcoming changes.”

Resident P.Y.

“I am disheartened by the proposal to hide information from Garner residents. As tax payers and members of the community, we deserve to have a part in our community grows. Please respect the desires of the community and do not remove policies that support fair, transparent governance.”

Resident S.M.

“It is a horror that local government would try and take away transparency from its residents.”

Resident M.H.

“I think it's important for renters to receive notice as well as for the current distance for home owners to be notified of zoning changes. Withholding or reducing information from the public does not end well, and I cannot see a good reason for this change.”

Resident T.K.

“I believe the status quo of this law is already reasonable and residents should not have to subsidize developer's requirements to inform residents. The current law requires them to inform residents within ~0.18 miles (1000 feet.). That is already a dog walk away and very reasonable.”

Resident S.L.

“1000ft is barely sufficient in many of rural parts of town now being developed. This IS NOT a burden on the development community. If this is “the hot” portion of the triangle for development, stop caving to the development community.”

Resident M.B.

“I think this law should not change of a member of several community organizations and a home owner in garner also I rented my home long before I bought it the community need the information regards of owners or renter I plan travel ways and everything around the info and it would be a disservice if it were to shrink please garner rethink this.”

Resident D.L.B.

“Developers who do not wish to invest in hearing from a broad, diverse group of residents of our community do not deserve the opportunity to build in Garner.

These decisions to reduce notice requirements are for the benefit of the short term accounting of multi-million dollar building corporations, but they will affect Garner’s character and residents for generations. We deserve more time to consider these impacts, not less.”

Resident S.V.

“Open government requires shared information... An informed citizenry is at the center of True Democracy. No limits on public information.”

Resident P.O.

“I believe the status quo of this law is already reasonable and residents should not have to subsidize developer's requirements to inform residents. The current law requires them to inform residents within ~0.18 miles (1000 feet.). That is already a dog walk away and very reasonable.”

Resident S.L.

“If you need to hide changes from residents, then they’re probably not changes for the better.”

Resident K.M.

“I am concerned that this change will result in abridged notification of changes happening in a rapidly growing Garner and lack of transparency.”

Resident L.P.

“Do not change what is already on the books. Do not do this underhanded change and undermined homeowners.”

Resident D.D.

“I don't think the information you have about renters being transients is correct and here is why... When i moved to Garner 13 years ago I rented in my current neighborhood for 7 years. I rented here because it was affordable neighborhood with nice working class folks, good schools, and I wasn't in a position to purchase a home YET.

On my 8th year in my neighborhood I purchased my home and have lived here for 6 years so far. I'm so vested in my home and neighborhood that i've been serving on my HOA board for the last 6 years. Do I sound like a transient? Over the years I've had the pleasure of meeting my neighbors some own and some rent.

However i can say that at least 75% of the renters here have lived for at least 2+ years. Because the rent is affordable while they save to purchase a home. Did i mention that a lot of them have kids and like the schools their kids attend and have established roots in our charming community. Do they sound like transient? This isn't right to take away this away and silent the masses that have a voice that deserves to be heard in their community.”

Resident K.P.

“I’m confused on if this is helping citizens or just big developers. Who does this new law benefit?”

Resident J.H.

“Like many Garner residents, my family and I are concerned about the rapid growth in housing and new developments without the proper roads and infrastructure to support them. It is vital that there be greater transparency on the part of our elected officials, ensuring the people of Garner continue to be notified of changes to the UDO, including proposed changes to the town's zoning laws. Every resident should have a say in what happens in Garner, helping to maintain its beauty, its manageability, and its integrity. We urge you not to take away our public notification rights; doing so would be short-sighted and hurt our community, as a whole.”

Resident J.P.