As I mentioned in my previous post, one of my priorities is ensuring we are balancing development with ensuring that residents are heard in the process. To that end I wanted to make sure the residents of Frisco are clear on my position with the proposed Universal Theme Park.
Last week I attended the P&Z and Council meetings and what I observed reinforced why I am running for Mayor. What is readily apparent is that this is a crock pot project that’s utilizing a microwave approach.
Let’s slow the roll, get all the information out first so residents can make informed decisions. If this project has been some time in the making why must the decision be made so fast?
The residents that live close by had no expectation when they purchased their homes that a theme park would be built next to them. Their voice not only needs to be clearly heard but listened to–SUP documents, traffic studies and the plans for the entire development should be shared well in advance of meetings asking the public to comment. The trickle out of information including traffic studies, incentives, and details on the SUP have marred the project’s roll out.
One of the most important questions is why were there no joint work sessions between the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding such an important project prior to the public hearings? The mayor has said that a more detailed presentation will be provided on March 7th; however, this seems a little late as the SUP is scheduled to be voted on that same evening which doesn’t allow for public evaluation and further discussion. The correct and transparent roll-out of any project is critical to the success and the understanding by all those involved, this has surely been forgotten.
This may well be a great project that needs a different location. More transparency in the process would have avoided this. Transparency is a key theme of my campaign; residents have a right to be heard and listened to on how their city will be developed.
If the city council passes the project, attention must be given to the protection of surrounding neighborhoods, traffic, and details included in the SUP designed to protect Frisco residents in the future for the build out of the remaining land.
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