Having petitioned unsuccessfully for a contract zone change myself, I was pleased to see the Planning Board recommend approval of the Tysons’ Grove Street request last Tuesday. It was an example of good common sense overcomeing false (bureaucratic) barriers.

I was dismayed, however, to read John Lord’s comments that, “zoning is applied to land, not to people.” It exemplifies one of the worst shortcomings of the bureaucratic process — and emphasis on rules and regulations instead of on people. Rather than helping those (citizens and taxpayers) who financially support their existence, too often a bureaucrat serves only to hinder progress, citing rules and regulations in place of honestly trying to help people meet their needs.

Our city right now needs to do whatever it can to promote business and economic progress. I’ve seen enough patients suffering economically to know that we are trouble in our community — I hope the planning staff can start working to help us go forward, not stop us in our track. Dr. Richard Thomas Bangor