Although the quantity of letters the Development Services Department receives regarding land use activities may indicate the extent of neighborhood or agency interest, it is the relevance of the comments -the information they contain- that will most affect a project outcome. Here are some tips on making your comments effective:
- Briefly explain who you are and why you are interested in the project.
- State your concerns clearly and succinctly using objective language.
- Comment only on issues relevant to the decision being made.
- State opinions and preferences, ask questions and propose alternative solutions to particular issues. Provide informed opinions and, where possible, include data to support your opinion.
- Review the project's technical reports or Environmental Impact Report data, and comment on conclusions, assumptions and the data collecting methods.
- Keep focused on your objective. You want the decision makers to hear your concerns and be compelled enough to investigate further.
- Identify the topics you want to include in your letter and how you want to organize them.
- Ask for studies that you think are important, but have not been provided.
- If the proposed project is subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and you think it will have significant environmental impact, request that an environmental document be prepared.
- Provide your own information.
- Identify project features that you like and think should not be changed.
- Provide any comments about the project's compliance with the Land Development Code.
- Focus on the required findings; relate information directly to the findings required for each project. Findings are different for each type of discretionary permit, and are described in the Land Development Code.
- Ask to be added to the project mailing list and request a copy of the notice of decision. (Copies are sent via U.S. mail, so please provide your mailing address when making request.)
