Wake County commissioners recently directed County Manager David Cooke – for the second time – to solicit additional public input on a request by the city of Raleigh to institute greater land use restrictions around the Little River Reservoir.

Commissioners first told Cooke and Planning Director Melanie Wilson to go back to the drawing board last month after dozens of people packed the commissioners meeting room to protest what they believed were overly-restrictive rules that had been developed without sufficient input from the people who would be most affected by them.

Those rules spelled out increased restrictions on the development of land in the area closest to the watershed. They also firmed up the city of Raleigh’s position that property owners who live within that area, called the critical watershed, would not be able to access the water produced by the reservoir.

At a meeting last month, Cooke presented commissioners with new recommendations developed by county staff that sought to address some of the concerns voiced by residents.

But Cooke’s recommendation didn’t involve additional input from residents – something commissioners said they wanted when they delayed action on the request the first time.

Now, the new recommendations will go back to the Wake County Planning Board, which will hold a public hearing on the new rules.

Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposal before a board that advises county commissioners.

Public input, though it can run the gamut from thoroughly supportive to downright opposed, makes public policy better.

Despite the potential for a wide variety of reactions, it’s likely county leaders will see trends in the comments they receive.

Those trends often help community leaders chart the best course for the most people.