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I'm all for making it easier to tweet, email, or send by carrier pigeon any comment anyone wants to make. That doesn't mean they will be given any more consideration than now.

And that's not much.

In a normal large application the process starts with meetings between the normal Pay-to-Play special interests. Then the proposal goes to board hearings at which people and ANC's can comment. My experience is that 3-minute people who have the most knowledge of the specific project and the issues specific to that project have the most influence on other attendees. On the board, maybe not so much.

The process does allow time for parties who have a large interest in the project to fine-tune it around the edges to hopefully make it better before approval. But to be in the group that fine-tunes you have to become a party. There's a real incentive to pay attention to parties because if the issues are not resolved they can appeal to the DC Court of Appeals. That Court does not pay any attention to emails, tweets or written comments I'll guarantee you.

In any controversial application it's expected that the "Something is Better Than Nothing" crowd will comment one way and the "I'm Scared of Change" crowd will comment another way.

But to get past the kabuki theater part you have to be a party. It's a lot of work but if someone truly believes that massive underground parking garages are bad for the community, that not enough transit alternatives like bike stations are included, that the building is not green enough, or that the units proposed are too large in square footage, protest, say so, and become a party.

If you're unwilling to become a party just sit back and enjoy the show and hope there's some laughs.

by Tom Coumaris on May 4, 2011 12:21 pm • link • report