By Leo Medrano
While I appreciate the enthusiasm behind Blaze Bhence’s call for a planning commission in Cypress, I believe it’s essential to recognize that our city is already well-equipped to manage growth without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
Cypress already has a robust planning department that has effectively guided our city’s development for years. This department operates under a strategic planning process that is open to all residents (with multiple meetings throughout the year that are open to the public), ensuring transparency and public involvement. I personally reviewed and participated in it as a Commissioner and spoke about it during the April 22, 2024 City Council meeting (https://cypressca.new.swagit.com/videos/303417?ts=2387). Through this process, we’ve been able to maintain the most fiscally sound city in the county while keeping our sales tax rate the lowest in Orange County—no small feat in today’s economic climate.
Our existing commissions, such as the Seniors, Traffic, and Parks and Recreation Commissions, play an active role in shaping the strategic plan that guides Cypress’s future. Adding a planning commission might seem like a step toward more resident involvement, but in reality, it would only add another layer of bureaucracy, making Cypress less business-friendly. Small business owners, many of whom I’ve personally spoken with, are concerned that a more complicated planning and permitting process would drive away investment. Reduced business investment could even lead to higher sales taxes as businesses flee to more welcoming environments.
It’s also important to clarify that any new Planning Commission would be advisory in nature, much like our other commissions. It wouldn’t have the power to make independent decisions—those still rest with the City Council. So, the notion that a planning commission would provide a “new voice” for residents is misleading; it would simply advise on matters that our council then decides upon.
As one of California’s most famous governors once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” We don’t need to overcomplicate what’s already working. Cypress has demonstrated time and time again that we can achieve thoughtful, sustainable development without bogging down the process with more red tape. Let’s continue to streamline our governance, support our businesses, preserve our culture, and keep Cypress thriving.d
