My name is Suhail Khalil. I am a volunteer member of the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB). I was elected to PCPB on winds of change in June 2007 by nearly 400 of my constituents. The election sent a clear message to this body because over 700 constituents came out to vote on the basis that “our community deserves better.” PCPB needs to do better when informing our community on substantive land-use matters (separating facts from fiction).
PCPB needs to do better to conduct regular outreach programs and open forums to educate our community on large-core projects within our jurisdiction. PCPB needs to do better to collaborate with all governing bodies and affiliated organizations to ensure transparency and to positively impact long-term community plans affecting our quality of life.
The election successfully brought forth significant change but, sadly, there remains a negative element bent on attacking and disrupting any new direction mandated by our community. New members are now challenged to stand up against [the board’s] relentless opposition to implementing reasonable changes. New members are also challenged with combating unreasonable notices by the City Attorney’s Office, which has demonstrated unwavering support to a select few and refuses to address any material concerns brought forth by new members affecting the conduct of this board.
PCPB members mustn’t be impervious to facts and reason and must not believe this body is an independent planning agency.
The Peninsula Community Planning Board must maintain its credibility as an adjunct of our city and treat our community members and city staff with dignity and respect. Each PCPB member is accountable to Council Policy 600-24, 4.11, Code of Conduct: “For effective operation, a climate of civility and respect is an essential component of a recognized community planning group’s credibility both in its operations and for its relations with the agencies and public with whom it interacts.”
Unfortunately, a few tenured PCPB members forgot all the problems and multitude of written complaints prior to the June 2007 run-off elections, including:
n June 2002 ” Memorandum response from [the city] Redevelopment Agency’s assistant executive director and Planning Department’s director. PCPB disseminating inaccurate and misleading information regarding infill projects.
n June 2002 ” former PCPB member complaint regarding PCPB majority making decisions based on nonfactual negativity.
n March 2005 ” Constituent complaint regarding PCPB election process (many irregularities that violate the Brown Act governing open meetings).
n March 2005 ” Applicant complaint regarding PCPB chair’s conflict of interest.
n November 2005 ” Applicant complaint regarding PCPB unreasonable denial action.
n March 2006 ” Applicant complaint regarding PCPB chair’s conduct.
n March 2006 ” Constituent complaint regarding PCPB secret candidate forum meetings.
n May 2006 ” Applicant complaint regarding PCPB chair’s misrepresentation to influence board.
n October 2006 ” Applicant complaint regarding PCPB conduct.
n January 2007 ” Constituent complaint regarding PCPB overstepping boundaries.
n May 2007 ” Constituent complaint regarding specific board members degradation of character and incivility.
On behalf of my constituents, I can no longer be silent during any more disruptions instigated by the few PCPB members bent on steering this body in the wrong direction. I challenge all PCPB members to remain focused on our objectives when reviewing pertinent projects affecting our future, such as: SDIA Airport Master Plan ” EIR review, Nickelodeon Resort Hotel, Peninsula Community Plan update, North Bay/Midway redevelopment projects. We must consider a balanced approach when determining whether to approve or deny these types of projects.
Resolving complex land-use matters requires cooperation from both sides of the aisle and we do not have time to waste. We can no longer afford to be swept into toxic cesspools of disdained bipartisanship. I stand for doing what’s right for our community and will continue to reach out to others to do the same. Change is never easy.
” Suhail Khalil was elected to the Peninsula Community Planning Board in June 2007.