The Utah County Commission will hold an important public hearing in the South Courtroom at the County Building next Monday, Jan. 31.
It’s a hearing to consider approximately a hundred amendments to the 1975 Revised Utah County Zoning Ordinance. Commissioners adopted the ordinance last Dec. 22 on a 2 to 1 vote. On the same day they set the hearing on amendments to which they’d agreed in negotiations with property owners and citizen groups.
Mondays hearing is scheduled at 2 p.m.
With the number of amendments to be considered on a measure that has generated considerable controversy in Utah County, attendance could be heavy, and explanation of the amendments and public input could involve considerable time.
Since it’s quite possible the fairly small Courtroom will not accommodate the crowd and one meeting of reasonable length may be inadequate in covering the subject matter, the Herald suggests the County Commission make whatever adjustments appear needed.
We recommend at least one additional session – preferably at night. This could serve a dual purpose of taking care of a possible overflow turnout and at the same time make the hearing available to people who must work during the daytime hours.
The latter point, we believe, has application at many of the hearings held by public bodies, including budget hearings. Daytime hours are difficult or impossible for many people in the work force to attend.
In the case of a county hearing, we realize the law (which well might be considered for revision) makes no provision for night sessions of the county commission. However, there should be no legal problems with holding a night informational and discussion meeting anyway – if no official action is taken by the commission at that particular session.
Provo City Commissioners, on occasion in the past, have held a public hearing in multiple sessions in order to get full and complete input from interested citizens on a vital subject.
On one occasion years ago the city hall was jam-packed for a hearing on a pornography ordinance. Realizing the inadequacy of trying to “wrap up” the hearing in one session, the city commission recessed the meeting to a later date and held the second session in the Provo Tabernacle before a large crowd.
We believe that this type of action by public officials is in keeping with the spirit as well as the letter of the law. The extra time often can certainly be in the public interest, allowing time for a more leisurely discussion and for more adequate response from those who desire to speak.
Public hearings are required by law for a good purpose and they accomplish an important function in our democratic society, affording opportunities for explanations by public officials; meaningful input from the people affected; and two-way communication – all of which can add up to wiser decisions and a more enlightened public.