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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

So that is (finally) my coverage for the 10/2 Detroit CPC meeting.
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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

Sorry--another thought. CPC homepage dominated by fee chart. Yes, there is functional benefit for this--but lets put our empathy hats on & see how this likely feels to majority of city population. If you need help accessing relevant economic data, contact me 🧐 (Just kidding--I fear human contact🥶)

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

One final thought...a major structural hindrance in the effort to modify zoning is that the current system is predominantly based on regulations from 1960s...and the majority of the city housing structures were constructed in first half of the 20th century, so round peg/square hole

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

What is more, the public that did run over during their allotted speaking time or had occasional shouts during proceedings responded to 'calls of civility'--and also remained until the end of the meeting. So there is obviously strong interest/engagement from some in the public

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

Additionally, it appeared that a significant number of the public that came for the meeting not only endured the VERY late start, but were also present until the very end.

I should note Vice Chair Udabe did a good job keeping her cool in face of some passionately critical comments

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

I also note that they were willing to contact relevant city officials to help answer their questions in course of the meeting, even after 9 PM--and they did get responses!

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

And this is sad, as CPC appears sincere in its efforts...the meeting was still going strong before closing at 10:35, with a commission member (perhaps chair Donovan Smith?) noting that they had to conclude due to losing access to the parking structure, not because they were done discussing the topic

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

From one perspective, this slide shows overall intent & helps describe the overarching framework of engagement. But for a city population that has been systematically dispossessed, illegally over-assessed & routinely deceived...well, gosh golly, this may appear less than forthcoming, Just sayin'.

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

I was also confused by the use of the slide shown below regarding public outreach in relation to the Lets Build More Houses proposal...note it dated 2019 and speaks to the broader ZoneDetroit initiative

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

While it is true that only so much can be done to reach out & only so many public meetings can be held, it is quite likely that a powerful factor in low attendance is the lack of control so many wage-earners--meaning, well, 'normal people'/the 99%-- have on their schedules

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

After providing a rundown of process for announcing a public meeting--emails, public notice, social media post, flyer distribution--there was the classic 'personal responsibility' comment coupled with lament of how hard it is to get people to participate

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

I had to wonder if any serious assessment had been done to determine level of effectiveness of outreach efforts. My strong sense is that there is an acceptance of the fact that given the nature of our society/economy & resources available for CPC, low numbers of engagement are inevitable

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 4d

The discussion about outreach continued for a while with lots of back & forth. I was struck by how the commission members do not have top-of-mind grasp of how outreach is done, i.e., what channels used, frequency of events, relevant numbers concerning contacts/attendance/responses, etc.

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

There was a lot of Q & A with CPC board and department members about how outreach/communication is done, what occurred, how responses were received, etc. Weird juxtaposition of body language/voice tone between those who felt everything had gone splendidly in good faith & those asking questions

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

The pushback from members of the public was, to my mind, not overly harsh--just Detroit being Detroit. The CPC, however, seemed to lose confidence--even though it was clear (to me, at least) that they are very much in favor of the proposed amendments.

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

In fact, it was her insistence on getting clarity from DLBA that was one of the factors leading to CPC tabling the vote on the proposal

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

On equity aspects/challenges for the proposed amendments, Commissioner Gwen Lewis (I believe) was adamant about getting assurances that following approval of amendment that Detroiters who have purchased sidelots from DLBA will be given same rights/privileges for development as others

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

I don't have data/didn't keep track, but I would say the ratio of support for the proposed amendments to resistance/criticism was about 3 to 1; this same ratio was noted at end of meeting as Commissioner/Vice Chair Rachel Udabe summarized things...noted this fit ratio from public outreach efforts

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

First, right after Hazel brought up the equity angle, we had a series of comments from public that sounded--well, very much 'young/white/new-to-the-City' & with all the goals/hopes in fashion (walkability, for example) proudly on display

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 5d

Awrighty...I'm afraid the place I was doing remote coverage from had the WIFI throttled to slow-slower-pretty much stopped...the following posts are taken from notes and will be more impression/recollection than actual reporting...but there it is.

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 6d

Hazel also pointed out that those supporting proposed amendment tend to be newer residents who are typically younger & white rather than those that have been in the city for the majority of their lives, so there is a matter of equity...

And the WIFI where I'm reporting from has a SERIOUS lag

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 6d

We have had Janis Hazel speak out, challenging the blanket-wide approach to proposed zoning changes and sees it as actually dis-empowering residents, especially in matter of ADUs--and points to clash with existing Master Plan...changes should be done case-by-case

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 6d

We have another person--this time from online participants--first of 18! This person is also very suspicious--also believes that there has not been real, good faith public engagement

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Spooky @spookyperry.bsky.social · 6d

We now have a person insisting that CPC has not pursued public engagement in good faith and that participants sound scripted...the amendment will cause major impacts and is essentially being ushered in by stealth mode 🤔

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