I used to skip my town's planning board meetings until someone showed me the math

I figured my vote at the town zoning hearing didn't matter, but then a neighbor pointed out that only 12 people showed up to the last one and a 4-3 vote passed a new strip mall. So I went to the next meeting and my single comment got a parking variance delayed for review. Has anyone else found a bigger impact by showing up to these tiny local meetings?

3 comments

3 Comments

stella_taylor19d ago

Looked into my neighborhood's historic district commission after a developer wanted to tear down a 1920s bungalow. Only five of us showed up to the hearing, and our concerns about preserving the street's character made the commission table the demolition permit for six months. That little bit of extra time let us organize a petition and find a buyer who renovated the house instead.

the_thomas19d ago

Wait, you mean five people actually saved a house from being demolished? That's adorable. Those developer vultures probably showed up with a whole legal team and got shut down by a handful of neighbors in folding chairs. Gotta love democracy in action, even if it's basically five cranky people with good aim. Bet the developer's still bitter about losing to a petition and a buyer who probably paid way less than the lot was worth. Sometimes the small crew wins, I guess.

mianelson18d ago

Five people made a difference." Same thing happened with a barn near me. Crazy what a small group can do, right?