Although the quantity of letters the Development Services Department receives regarding land-use activities may indicate the extent of neighborhood or agency interest, it is the relevance of the comments -- the information they contain -- that will most affect a project outcome. Here are some tips on making your comments effective:

• Briefly explain who you are and why you are interested in the project.
• State your concerns clearly and succinctly using objective language.
• Comment only on issues relevant to the decision being made.
• State opinions and preferences, ask questions and propose alternative solutions to particular issues. Provide informed opinions and, where possible, include data to support your opinion.
• Review the project's technical reports or Environmental Impact Report data, and comment on conclusions, assumptions and the data collecting methods.
• Keep focused on your objective. You want the decision-makers to hear your concerns and be compelled enough to investigate further.
• Identify the topics you want to include in your letter and how you want to organize them.
• Ask for studies that you think are important but have not been provided.
• If the proposed project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and you think it will have a significant environmental impact, request that an environmental document be prepared.
• Provide your own information.
• Identify project features that you like and think should not be changed.
• Provide any comments about the project's compliance with the Land Development Code.
• Focus on the required findings; relate information directly to the findings required for each project. Findings are different for each type of Discretionary Permit and are described in the Land Development Code.
• Ask to be added to the project mailing list and request a copy of the notice of decision. (Copies are sent via U.S. mail, so please provide your mailing address when making your request.)