Recording of planning opinion dissents blocked

Press, 11 May 1984, Page 4

Recording of planning opinion dissents blocked

A debate over whether to record dissenting opinions in Christchurch City Council planning hearing decisions has been generated because one councillor feels strongly about a decision that has not yet been released. The nature of the issue was not disclosed yesterday, when the town planning committee recommended against allowing such opinions on a 6 to 4 vote. Cr Alex Clark had moved that “adequately documented, non-frivolous dissents” should be recorded in hearing decisions. Cr Mollie Clark, a member of the planning hearing

panels, said she felt “very strongly” about a specific issue, and wanted to present a reasoned argument in writing against the panel’s majority decision. She did not think the question of dissenting opinions had arisen before. Her opinion would be based on town planning principles, she said. A city solicitor’s opinion was presented which gave

arguments for and against recording dissents, which are allowed by the Planning Tribunal. On balance, the opinion said, the council should record such dissents when a

hearing panel member felt strongly enough to request that course. Reasons for the dissent should be part of the recorded opinion. The solicitor’s opinion also said however, that a repetitive recording of dissents could tend to weaken the council’s planning decisions. “It is not something that would happen every day,” said Cr Mollie Clark. “It is the first time I have felt strongly enough to seek it.”

Cr Geoff Stone said the lack of solid grounds for such a dissent would soon become apparent in the dissenting opinion’s reasoning.