During Thursday's work session, Figueras said that communication on how the plan should be used has been poorly done and that citizens are confused on its usage.
"Most of the citizens think it is supposed to be religiously interpreted and get upset when they think the interpretation isn't what they think should be," Figueras said. "We have got to do a better job of educating the public on the plan."
Her own interpretation to the plan could be controversial.
"I don't think it should be a 'bible' of sorts. I think it should be used mainly as a guide for us as elected officials to use," she said. "There has to be some common sense used when trying to do the right thing and not just have to do something because of literal interpretation.
"I know some people out there want us to use a literal interpretation but don't think that is the best way to decide something. That may not be a popular approach but for me I think it's the best one."
Her comments come in the wake of a controversial decision by the City Council on Tuesday to allow an R-I zoned piece of property in a neighborhood to be rezoned commercial to build a parking lot.
That action prompted another City Councilman to question whether the council as a whole was standing up for neighborhoods.
"I'm not making this statement because of any one decision but because of the many we've had to make over the last couple of years," Figueras said. "We definitely need a guide as some kind, but that's all we should use it for.
"Otherwise, we're letting our growth needs and decisions be decided by outside forces. I don't think that is the best thing for Gainesville."
She did not, however, think that the county should should do away with, or change, the Land Use Plan at this time.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/199702