Lawrence City Commission candidates split Thursday on the issue of diversity on the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.
Melinda Henderson, a community activist, raised the question during a forum at the Lawrence Public Library, indicating the current planning commission takes too loose a view of Horizon 2020, the city-county long-range planning guide.
Incumbent commissioner Erv Hodges defended the makeup of the nine-member commission, whose members are appointed by both the Lawrence and Douglas County commissions. But he added he thought the commission approved too many developments outside the city.
"I think the planning commission has done a good job," he said. "They are not hesitant to send the plan back to be reworked."
Incumbent commissioner Marty Kennedy agreed.
Fellow incumbent David Dunfield, along with challengers Scott Bailey and Adam Mansfield, called for members to be appointed from a greater range of neighborhoods and points-of-view in the city. Challenger Sue Hack did not attend.
Kurt Thurmaier, a candidate for Lawrence school board, said the commission should include two representatives of the school district.
"Every single one of their decisions," Thurmaier said, "has an impact on the school budget."
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