5 Things To Consider Before Drafting an Initiative

5 Things To Consider Before Drafting an Initiative - Presentation Outline

5 Things To Consider Before Drafting an Initiative

June to July, 2002
Bill Higgins, Project Director
Institute for Local Self Government

Theme:

Initiatives should be drafted in a way that reflects community values and provides the agency with the flexibility to address unintended consequences.

Why Initiatives?

General Frustration with Unchecked Growth
PPIC Poll:
74% believe that local government provides the best forum for land use decisions
BUT, 63% believe that local voters should make growth related decisions

ADVANTAGES

Direct Democracy
Legislative Battering Ram
Creates Certainty
Harder to Amend
DISADVANTAGES
Interest Group Control
May not mesh well with existing laws
Harder to amend
Copy Cat Initiatives

The Five Considerations

1. Look Before You Leap

Stakeholder Negotiations
Regional Agreements
Park Bond $$$
Design Review Guidelines
Other Alternatives

2. Engage the Public Before Drafting

Town Hall Meetings
Outreach
Stakeholder Groups
Auto Tours
Accept Electronic Comments
BE CREATIVE!!!

3. Clarify Purpose and Goals

4. Create Flexibility

Exceptions to avoid liability (takings; vested rights)
Sunset Clauses
Define Amendment Processes
Limiting Scope of Exception by requiring findings; other limitations

5. To Cooperate or Not?

Consider reaching out to other interest groups
Consider giving the local agency the opportunity to comment.
Less adversarial process should yield broader community support.

The 5 Considerations Recap

Engage the Public
Look Before You Leap
Clarify Purpose and Goals
Retain a Degree of Flexibility
Seek Broad Input