Girtz on the memo

Athens-Clarke County District Nine Commissioner Kelly Girtz, who was one of six commissioners to ask Athens-Clarke County planning staff to permit a temporary use of an adjacent lot to alleviate the Jittery Joe's parking problem, said he was hopeful county staff would respect the commission's wishes ...

The decision seemed abrupt given the possibility for a more permanent special use designation that involves a 3 month application process, along with the failure to demonstrate immediate damage, and finally, the permitted gameday parking on site - obviously a much shorter, but more intensive use.

Girtz said the community outrage against the decision prompted the commission to take action, and, despite other recent areas where the commission and staff appear to have butted heads, he suggested such disagreements were natural ...

Even generally like-minded commissioners will not always be on the same page (as is the case w/JJ's parking). It is no surprise that staff members, managing the daily ins-and-outs of policy implementation will develop a distinct perspective from that of policy makers. This can be occassionally tough to deal with, but I think our job as elected officials is to let 'em know when we think they've strayed too far off the path.