Walking the Fence

In this morning's edition of the Hernando Today, the following quote appeared in the article titled, Hickory Hill goes to state for review: Commissioners said it made sense to send the project off to DCA because that agency’s input will give them and the public a better grasp on the complexity of the issues. Their vote, they said, was not an endorsement either way of how they will ultimately vote in the future. Since this was a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Schenck, Stabbins and Robinson voting in the affirmative, maybe they can answer this question for the public. Wasn't it your job, as our elected officials, to determine if this application warranted a major change in our comprehensive plan and not just simply pass it off to the state Department of Community Affairs? The commissioners stated it was not an endorsement either way of how they will ultimately vote in the future on this project. Do they not understand the process? If DCA gives its stamp of approval for this major comprehensive plan change then it will be virtually impossible to deny any requests for re-zonings for this Hickory Hill project since this PDD will become a permanent part of our comprehensive plan. It appears that Commissioners Schenck, Stabbins and Robinson wanted their cake, and to be able to eat it too, by appearing to walk the fence on this issue.