Planning Staff Said Inadequate

Ann Arbor's Planning Department is in the position of "playing catch-up ball" regarding the numerous projects awaiting final disposition, Director Michael R. Prochaska told the City Council last night. He said to keep current with these projects there would have to be another four planners added to his staff, adding the department "would do a little better" if two were added. Prochaska had presented council with a lengthy memo on the projects facing the Planning Department staff. Some councilmen questioned the length of the list, stating that some of the projects are of very low priority. Fourth Ward Councilman Roy E. Weber commented that the council is "very guilty of adding to the load of the commission with its ad hoc requests." Mayor Robert J. Harris, who said he will be making it his job to point to departments that are under-funded, said perhaps the city will get to the point of having an income tax and being able to hire the needed personnel. "Getting back to reality," commented Third Ward Councilman Joseph W. Edwards, "I have questions about some of these things listed as projects." "Some of these rate very, very low and I question if they should be on a list of jobs to be done soon. It makes me a little suspicious of the validity of the weight of the load," Edwards said. "Apparently we're not close enough to elections," said Second Ward Councilman Robert G. Faber, stating that around election time "everyone starts yelling about planning . . ." Commenting on the list, Faber said the city's general development plan takes only one line but it takes months and years to prepare the document. "If we're really serious about coming to grips with our problems I find it odd leaving the Planning staff as is." Edwards said he is not suggesting that the department let work slide by. "We snow the Planning Commission with requests, it is a way of dodging an issue. This adds to the size of the list." Larcom Jr. said some of the work load could be reduced because some of the projects awaiting Planning Commission action are by and large technical in nature and will be done by other departments. He said, however, there is a need to enlarge the staff. Harris said he would concede this point but contended the staff is not adequate to do the amount of planning citizens are asking be done. "I think we're paying the price now (on the annexation question) of not getting public concensus on planning." City Administrator Guy C. Larcom Jr. said some of the work load could be reduced because some of the projects awaiting Planning Commission action are by and large technical in nature and will be done by other departments. He said, however, there is a need to enlarge the staff.