Citizen Oversight

On February 8, 2024, Blaine Planning Commission unanimously approved the Downtown Advisory Committee 50% parking reduction recommendation for west side of Peace Portal developers at the behest of Community Development Services (CDS), but after citizen opposition the commission reversed itself and unanimously opposed the 50% reduction in parking developers wanted. The commission left open the possibility of the city selling on-street parking to developers which would kill downtown businesses whose customers would no longer have a place to park. 

This illustrates the importance of the planning commission's role in citizen oversight and government accountability that CDS is now attempting to eliminate by shifting their power over major land use decisions to a single unaccountable hearing examiner. Blaine City Council is expected to continue giving developers what they want no matter the cost and harm to the city.

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