Zoning Appeals meeting - time to talk

[Guest Ken]

I was at a Town Council Board of Zoning appeals meeting where the majority of people were against a property being zoned a multi-family home even though a judge had ruled the property a multi-family home more then 30 years prior.

 

The person heading the meeting claimed the Board used Roberts Rules to conduct their meeting.

 

Initially time was not mentioned, but since only the homeowner was for the zoning change he needed to present his case. Those opposed each had an opportunity to talk as well as having a lawyer talk for them.

 

The Board would not allow a person to speak more then once.

 

The question is although Roberts Rules says a speaker should be given 10 minutes to talk and then a second 10 minutes after everyone else has had a chance to speak, in the case of an official town meeting where presenting one's case may take more then 10 minutes should the person be allowed more time under Roberts Rules and if they are should they be given equal time as the complainants? Should the person be allowed to challenge statements made by other presenters?

[Dan Honemann]

The rules in RONR with respect to time limits on debate pertain to members. As far as RONR is concerned, nonmembers have no right to debate at all, so if they can, you will need to look to the rules that say so for any limitations.

[Edgar Guest]

The question is although Roberts Rules says a speaker should be given 10 minutes to talk and then a second 10 minutes after everyone else has had a chance to speak . . . 

 

This refers only to members of the body that is meeting (e.g. only to members of the Zoning Board). As far as RONR is concerned, non-members (of the body that is meeting) have no parliamentary rights, not even the right to attend the meeting.

 

Since this is a municipal body it is undoubtedly governed by rules which supersede those found in RONR.