To the editor:
On March 15, more than 25 Lynners, some with young children in tow, took time out of their lives to attend the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on a developer’s proposal to build a five-story apartment building without providing parking spaces as required by the zoning ordinance.
The large turnout was acknowledged by board member Teri Krawitz, who noted at the beginning of the meeting the many people in the room and suggested that the matter be heard early in the meeting so that the concerned citizens did not have to wait.
The residents waited patiently for an hour and a half, at which point Assistant City Solicitor Jim Lamanna stood up and informed the board that the City’s Law Department had earlier noticed an “error” in the legal notice, and advised the board to postpone the matter.
With a new mayoral administration committed to transparency and public participation, it appears that the Law Department is woefully out of step.
Does Attorney Lamanna want to undermine democracy and discourage public participation in City government? That certainly was the message on Tuesday night.
Damon M. Harrison
Lynn
