Tips for Writing
to Officials About Re-Zoning
In an era of unprecedented urban sprawl, land use issues have come to the forefront of our civic conscience. Zoning has become the norm in American urban and rural areas and is an effective means of organizing land to that it is used in the most efficient manner possible. City planners try their best to determine the proper designation of land use zones, but despite their well-intentioned efforts, they are often forced to make controversial decisions. It has become increasingly difficult to accommodate all citizens who are affected by zoning decisions, so that is why it’s important to “speak up” if you want your voice to be heard. Writing a letter to a state representative or a city council member can be a very effective means of conveying your opinion to those who make decisions. However, there are a few guidelines one must follow in order to write a persuasive letter.
Writing a letter to a public official is actually quite easy. For starters, make sure you address your letter properly to the official who is in charge of the zoning or land use issue at hand. Familiarize yourself with the city’s laws and ordinances so that you are informed when stating your opinion. Through the Freedom of Information Act, all government documents are available to the public and are easily accessible. A sloppy or carelessly addressed envelope is more likely to be lost or ignored. Make sure you are writing to the person who is in charge of land use issues and not just any public official. Next, a letter should be coherent and concise. You should focus on a specific issue instead of addressing every single concern you may have. This means NOT writing a formal, wordy manuscript that lists all of your complaints. Using your own words is a much more personal way of conveying your opinion and officials are far more receptive to this approach than to a generic “form” letter. Officials read hundreds of letters a week, so in order for your letter to be noticed it should be fairly brief and to the point.
When stating your argument, be courteous but firm. Let the official know why you’re writing the letter and what she can do to help you. Remember that government officials have been elected, or appointed to serve you. They enjoy hearing feedback from the public and welcome the opportunity to hear how you feel. However, like anyone else they don’t enjoy being “attacked” with abusive criticism. If you disagree with a certain ordinance or bill, try to be constructive with your criticism and let the official know that you understand both sides of the issue, but that you fear the wrong approach is being taken.
Here is an example of a bad letter. Note the accusatory tone of the letter as well as the disorganized format. This letter commits several formal and informal fallacies (as outlined in Patrick J. Hurley’s 2000 book titled A Concise Introduction to Logic).
January 19, 2002
To whom it may concern,
I am sick and tired of you people always ruining the neighborhoods by taking perfectly good residential land and re-zoning it for commercial use. I can’t believe this city is actually going to knock down the Old Woodward Estate to make room for another convenience store. Next thing you know you’re going to want to get rid of all of the nice old homes and make parking lots and malls. You know that convenience stores always attract the wrong crowd. Nothing but delinquents if you ask me! Sure enough all of the property values are going to take a dive, crime is going to skyrocket, the schools are going to get bad and before you know it we’ll be living in a slum! Everybody I’ve talked to said they’re going to move out, then you’ll really be sorry. You only worry about raising our taxes and sucking as much money from us as you possibly can. By the way, don’t you have anything better to do than bother me about the lighting I have on my garage? Just the other day some guy came to my house telling me that I needed to take down the $600 light fixtures I installed around my garage. I can’t believe you worry about what I do to my garage when you’re letting another convenience store move in right down the block. All I have to say is, you should leave things the way they are.
Sincerely,
Patrick Fitzgerald
Here is an example of a well-written concise letter that presents an argument, provides evidence that supports the argument, then offers a constructive solution.
Patrick Fitzgerald
346 Cedar Street
Warner, MI 48773
Barbara Finley
City Council
1200 State Street
Warner, MI 48773
****
Dear Ms. Finley:
By way of introduction my name is Patrick Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgerald’s Market. As a lifelong resident of this city and also a small-business owner I have always been active in our community. I have served on various committees over the years as well as donated a great deal of time and money to the beautification of the city.
As proud as I am of this city, I was alarmed recently to find out that the city zoning committee is in the process of approving a measure to re-zone the two acres of residential land on the corner of Cedar Street and Maple Avenue for commercial use. I read in The Reporter that a “Speedy-G” convenience store and gas station is going to be built there. Though a new business will surely increase the city’s tax base, I feel that this measure will hurt small business owners throughout the area. For as long as I remember, this city has always had a reputation for being quaint and friendly due to our beautiful little downtown area. However, I fear that a convenience store will diminish this beauty and take away business from those in the food industry like myself who thrive on selling coffee and doughnuts in the morning, a service this convenience store is sure to provide.
Instead, I propose the city re-zone the Old Woodward Estate on Cedar Street and Maple Avenue for public use. I think a small nature preserve will provide a welcomed addition to our beautiful, but somewhat congested neighborhood. I would pledge my services to this project should it be of interest to you, Ms. Finley, or any of the other city council members on the city zoning board.
Very truly yours,
Patrick M. Fitzgerald
References
1. pp. 2-3 of The Citizen’s Guide to State Government.
2. Chapter 3 of Patrick J. Hurley’s Introduction to Logic.