PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Do you have a minute? Actually, do you have a few hours? Maybe even days?
"That would take me like three weeks," one man said, staring at the manuscript-looking document in the hands of 13News Now reporter Madeline David.
The City of Portsmouth wants you to read its 260-page zoning ordinance rewrite and submit your comments on it via email.
Seems a bit intense, right? And it's hard enough to get people involved in local government.
On Twitter, the city says it 'needs' your feedback by March 12, asking citizens to download and read the entire draft ordinance.
There's no summary of what's inside or synopsis on the proposed changes. The only clues are a few highlighted words and letters.
On the streets of downtown Portsmouth, people were quick to criticize such a request with little info. One man called it "insane."
Zoning ordinances are far-reaching in their effect. They include everything from how many chickens you can have in your backyard to the signs that store owners and restauranteurs placed outside their business.
"They should probably summarize it or find a way to get it out to everyone especially since it affects everyone in Portsmouth, not just the people who have the internet or time to read a 200 page...novel," one woman said.
A city spokesperson did not respond to request for comment by 11 p.m. Thursday night when the story aired.
13News Now will update this story with a response as soon as we get it.