Statement for Mike Fitzpatrick

							Statement for Mike Fitzpatrick


      First let me start by saying that my only goal in serving the city of Murrieta over the past 6
      years was to simply assist in making our entire city the best that it can be. I have been
      dedicated to this volunteer position and to the community and have been involved not only with
      the commission but also with several other community projects by donating my time and
      financial resources.

      With that being said, it is with great sadness and much consideration that I will be resigning.
      Several factors entered in to my decision to resign from the Murrieta Planning Commission.
      First being the apparent “No Confidence Vote” the Murrieta Planning Commission received
      Tuesday night from the City Council.

      I’ve never heard of any City Council opening all 5 seats at one time, this is historic,
      questionable, dangerous and totally irresponsible. Experienced Planning Commissioners are
      critical in order for the commission to effective. The City Council with its action Tuesday night
      is simply creating a “rubber stamp” for the council, the city-planning department and the city
      manager. This is dangerous for our community as it removes the necessary checks and
      balances from the development process.

      Although I agree that the selection process for future Planning Commissioners need to
      change, it is a colossal mistake if city council believes the approved changes in the selection
      process will in fact deliver the all of the needed revisions and additions in the planning &
      development process. The fact is there are serious issues with the internal leadership of
      planning department and inconstant project recommendations made by city staff, these
      deficiencies and others have been allowed to exist for years. For example:

          •   The development code is out of date and the “band aid” amendments that have been
              added over the years are completely contradicting, ineffective and create conflict in the
              current state.
          •   Design guidelines need to be developed. Proper design guidelines would solve 95% of
              the problems and delays. The Planning director started this task 2 years ago and it has
              yet to be completed.

      There are numerous systemic issues within the planning department that have prevented
      quality development in Murrieta for many, many, years. As a result, developers simply choose
      to develop in Temecula, Menifee and Lake Ellsinore and skip Murrieta. Just look at the
      development in Temecula for examples of new quality development outside Murrieta. The
      Responsibility for these failures belongs to the City Council, but more specifically the City
      Manager Rick Dudley and the Planning Director Mary Lanier as it is their responsibility for the
      day to day operations of the city and the planning department.

      The straw that broke the camels back was the tone and tenor, as well as the outrageous
      statements and by Councilmen Rick Gibbs, Doug McAllister and Councilwoman Kelly Bennett
      during the course of the discussion for the Planning Commission selection process. It was
      beyond the pail of decency, considering all of the Planning Commissioners are volunteers.

      As a result, I felt it was necessary to take action, stand and defend my commission, my fellow
      commissioners, and our impugned collective reputations.
    I would like to thank Mayor Gary Thomasian and Councilman Randon Lane for their support
    and defense of the planning commission during this process.

    Finally, the actions of City Council do not match their words. Make no mistake this is pure
    politics, slight of hand and misdirection on the part of the Murrieta City Council.



    Mike Fitzpatrick
    Former Chairman of the Murrieta Planning Commission