Public Hearing on Library Expansion Postponed

Libraries being near and dear to my heart, I went to this meeting. Or should I say non-meeting? The Planning and Zoning Board chair called the meeting to order, called the roll for attendance, a quorum was present. They then approved the agenda, stated there was no old business to cover, and moved on to new business. The only new business item on this agenda was the Library. However, the chair quickly announced that the City of DeKalb had asked for a continuance of this public hearing as the city needed further time for review. The board chair cited the Zoning Board’s attorney as saying because the meeting/public hearing had been published in the paper, even though the city requested continuance prior to the meeting, they had to open the meeting, announce the continuance with new date (Oct 26th), and then adjourn. The chair made apologies to all in attendance. There were perhaps a dozen or so seated in the audience plus the Board and representatives from the entities involved. At least one newsman spoke with officials afterward.

I did not see any displayed materials pertinent to the facts which the public might view, although perhaps as they knew in advance this meeting would be immediately adjourned, they did not bother to display anything. I hope in the days to come there are maps, plans, traffic studies, etc., available for public perusal both at and prior to the public hearing. I highly suggest these be made available to the public both at the Library and the City of DeKalb Zoning Department.