From:
To: City Council
Subject: Design Review
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2023 2:41:24 PM
Dear Council Members,
I apologize for the late email, but I just learned about the applicants for the DRB. I understand there are 3 applicants for 3 positions, but I urge you to not appoint Lynn Deedler to the Design Review Board. It would be better to leave a position vacant.
Lynn previously had a long tenure on the board which mostly culminated when he appealed a decision made by his own board. That one act clearly shows that Lynn does not respect the opinions of his fellow board members, but rather feels that he knows best. Fortunately the city council at the time denied his appeal and let the project move forward as approved by the board, (the project was the Hotel Sebastopol).
I have known Lynn for a long time and worked with him in various capacities. No one can doubt his dedication to this community. But speaking from my experience as a member of the planning commission, I have to say that I feel it is important to recognize the contributions and opinions of my fellow commission members, and if I'm in the minority on a decision, I have to respect that. I do what I can in meetings to get people to understand my opinion, but once a decision is made I would never appeal the majority decision. That's the way the process works. Lynn's behavior shows that he thinks his opinion is more important than others. Lynn clearly has his own agenda and does not seem open to input that would contradict his own opinion.
I again ask that you not reappoint Lynn Deedler to the Design Review Board.
Regards,
Paul Fritz
Note: I will be out of the office February 10th and 13th. fritz
ARCHITECTURE
UR BANIS M
P.O. Box 1074
Sebastopol, CA 95473