What is the best way for neighbors to fight a rezoning application at city hall?
99091
You have your work cut out for you and the results may not warrant the time and energy invested, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.\n\nThe key to your situation is money and influence. The other guys have both and you have neither.\n\nOn the "influence" issue:\n\n1) The politicians who run the show where you live have to run for reelection at some point. If you and others are willing to go door to door and get petitions signed by enough voters (emphasis on "registered" voters) you may raise a few eyebrows. \n\n2) You form a committee and the committee decides what the petition should say. If you can't get enough people to join a committee, that will tell you the level of non support and lack of interest there is in the community. The bottom line is sacrifice - less time in front of the TV - more time networking on the phone and computer.\n\n3) Make a connection with the local news media and get your story in print - politicians hate publicity, at least the unfavorable type. Keep that connection going, with routine updates through the local news media. If you quit, they'll quit.\n\n4) Hold and announce public meetings on the topic - ask for off hours use of public or private buildings with enough room for participants. Tip - the bigger the space, the greater the likelihood of a bad outcome. Why - large spaces create an image problem as far as filling a room is concerned. Better to have standing room only in a small space than empty seats in a large space. Do a head count prior to a meeting and then reduce that number by a fudge factor. Rule of thumb: committment of the mouth (lip service) is a lot easier than committment of action (getting one's butt off the sofa).\n\n5) Assign some task to each potential attendee, even if trivial, to ensure participation at meetings. That makes it harder for potential no shows.\n\n6) Find out who the "spies" are. Someone near you is "in bed" with the other guys but won't be waving a flag announcing it. Count on them to feed your every move to the opposition.\n\n7) Get somebody with a real set of brains and preferably experience on your team. Be careful about appointing executives who travel frequently - poor attendance and part time engagement is analogous to an absentee general during war.\n\n8) Find out if environmental issues are involved. State and local officials may have already been "bought off" by the developer. See if you can get the Feds involved if that appears to be the case.\n\nOn the "money" issue:\n\n1) Your local officials and politicians are supported by local business owners, especially during reelection campaigns.\n\n2) Local businees owners need your dollars to stay in business. If you withhold those dollars, they feel pain. They make it possible for your local politicians to screw you (sorry for the language) but that accurately describes the process. Rosa Parks, a poor black lady with minimal influence in her community, forced a bus company in Alabama to roll over - you can do it too.\n\n3) If you successfully organize a boycot of certain local businesses (pick one or two businesses who are in bed with the enemy) and put the hurt on them, guess whose phones will ring next. That's right - city hall. Don't attempt to boycott everyone - be picky and focus the pain.\n\nOn other issues:\n\n1) Let the politicians who are hurting you know where you stand and that you and many others have something they will eventually need - votes.\n\n2) Consider running for office yourself and see if there are others who are like minded willing to do that.\n\nBottom line: carrot and stick\n\nCarrot is support during reelection campaign, stick is the business boycott.\n\nYou may already be too late - money may have already changed hands from the developer with more on the way, but worth a shot. You can at least work to punish those who are hurting you.
1019479
ring your local council usually housing dept.
1146970
A lot of planning departments put applications online.   A good idea is to browse them, then look at the objections written by professionals.\n\nRule no. 1 is stick to the points you ARE allowed to object on.   There will be literature explaining those, and there are a great many of them.   Couldn't say what grounds would apply here; it depends partly on what you want - to keep the post office or avoid the takeaway?   \n\nInstinct says that objecting to a planning application on the grounds that you want to keep your post office won't work - the planning system is not in charge of Royal Mail, and it is to them that you need to take your concern.   \n\nIf the takeaway is going to have late night strippers, bouncers and fights outside it, you could object on those grounds.   Again, instinct says that unless you can demonstrate that the problem will be serious (and a takeaway does sound fairly innocuous from this distance) you won't win.
84012
This could be covered by your local or state laws. See someone at City Hall. In some areas a neighborhood association can help.
682725
None that I know of--- that was a problem -- I notice when I worked for the County as a dispatcher.\n\nPerhaps you should contact your precinct commissioner and have him bring this issue to the next meeting. Maybe they can create a loud music/noise ordinance that sets some guidelines for residences located within so many feet of each other.\n\n*Better yet, attend the next commissioners meeting and formally go on record with your request.
486359
Contact the local HUD agency and fill out the paperwork.
500881
Contact the housing authorities, or land lord tenant court....and good luck.
967488
Appeal it.\n\nAsk them.
718806
File a grievance with the courts in your town.
500068
That's a complicated question and the answer depends on the authority of your local zoning board. Is the area in the city limits or the county? What kind of zoning authority exists for that area?\n\nUsually the zoning authority is comprised of local elected officials or those appointed by the elected officials. the best place to voice your compliant is with your county commission or town council (depending on who has juristiction of the area in question) Most County Commissions and Town/City Councils have opportunities for public comment during public meetings. \n\nIf this is a true problem that is being contributed to by elected officials - the true punishment comes on voting day when the voters voice their concerns.
1079074
the tribal elders would have to consider your request if you ask in the proper manner.  the council would take the matter under advisement and talk with the legal department.  it may be brought to a tribal vote if it did not violate tribal, federal, or state laws. a zoning issue may be at hand and your answer would be  no.
1116508
for a petition, think of something you would sign yourself, if someone presented it to you.  i would try calling local police to set up one of those digital things that tell you how fast you are going or request an officer drive by. after you contact the city council with your petition, and nothing happens, call a local newspaper or t.v. station. good luck with this! keeping kids safe is #1!
796379
If it is a truly residential area it would be in bad taste to put the sign up.\n\nLocal ordinances vary but most important is subdivision indenture and the by laws.\n\nSome allow work from home with small board. Some allow just the practise, but no big trucks coming on regular bases, and no signs lots of people are working from home for various reasons.\n\nFirst check the subdivision by laws, then indenture then zoning and then city statute. The practice may be govern itself, by a requirement to display proper size sign(big enough/public procteaction law). This may not be apply if you have a main office or other office else where. \n\nMy advice is be a good neighbour, if a lawyer neighbour has the sign and it is not in any way in any ones way, ignore it, if it is your desire to put up a sign, be reasonable, about the size shape type and location.\n\nTemporary window signs can always be displayed (removable, keep it for a while to guide a visiting client and pick it up as soon as its function is fulfilled).
1183859
In some cities there are codes and permits you have to have to picket.   So you have to be in compliance with city codes.  you can not block people comming in or out of that business, and can not harass anyone.
632394
go to city council  and ask abotu your options
992563
If your HOA is being run by a outside party check the contract and start calling the office to let them know that you will not be renewing with them unless they start to reform immediately.  \n\nIf it is democratically run, your vote is your voice.  Go to each meeting and bring up the same points.\n\nIf they are breaching any part of their contract that is grounds for removal.  A petition is also a good idea, but you have to have all your ducks in a row and understand the legality of a petition because unfortunately the "what you meant" vs "what is says" goes against you if the language is not legally binding.  If you are not a lawyer the best rule of thumb is clear and short.
695056
You need to talk to someone at the City Managers office. There is probably a list of qualifications and guidelies you can get from them...if you qualify, then start working on a campaign!