6. HRSR 05-07-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ E H L EER S ~U~~i~~~~~~rr~C~mr~~~~y~ • Essential Redevelopment Planning PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS The traditional approach to redevelopment is characterized by an emphasis on good.. planning and finding the best development solution. The plan is carefully prepared by staff, elected officials, and sometimes representatives from the general public. This resulting plan is then presented to the public for "buy-in." This buy-in is generally necessary regardless of the type of funding for redevelopment. A number of communities have found that including the public earlier in this planning process provides a better final result ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~`~ and increases community support for the project. Another key distinction between this process and the traditional approach is that this process involves t alected officials as policy leaders throughout the process. Traditional approaches focus on elected official : ,~ involvement at the beginning and end ~ stages. The basic elements of the ~ ., process include the following steps: COMMUNICATE THE PROBLEM • Identify the implications of not addressing or solving the problem. • If possible, forecast the problem in advance of the need to address the problem. • Explain impact of not solving the problem as outcome statements and impact on residents and customers. • Develop chronology of communications on important issues. • Develop methods to assess community understanding of problem and impact of problem on community. • Develop communications plan to support effort. COMMUNICATE THE PROCESS • Develop a process appropriate to problem (i.e. task force, staff report, commission study, etc.). • Communicate process including specific opportunities for broader public involvement. • Establish clear expectations regarding community involvement. • Solicit suggestions for changes in the process. • Communicate the community response to the need for redevelopment back to the public. • Request options to be evaluated. • Review and refine problem statement. • Maintain communications chronology. ~~ • Develop clear evaluation criteria for option including advantages and disadvantages. • Request feedback on additional options. • Request feedback on evaluation criteria. • Request feedback on evaluation. • Reaffirm problem statement and process. • Maintain chronology. COMMUNICATE THE SELECTED OPTION • Communicate selected option. • Respond specifically to suggested options and evaluation criteria. • Communicate basis for selection. • Provide balanced evaluation including disadvantages of option. • Reaffirm problem statement, process and options. • Maintain communications chronology. • Identify next steps for implementation. Community participation is typically centered around "open houses" held at strategic times during the process. In some cases multiple open house meetings are needed to seek community feedback. It is vital to assess public acceptance prior to proceeding to the next step in the process. For example, if the public is not accepting that there is a need for the redevelopment under study, additional efforts should be undertaken to communicate the need before proceeding to the options stage. Elected officials play a key role in this process. Their assessment of community support during various phases is critical. Other key features of this process include developing a communication plan that will encourage broad based community involvement at open houses and in the process in general. Ehlers & Associates Inc _.. __ __...-_m. ~.. ~ _.~ ,-,~ .,,,,,~ _.-.__,__. . Illinois 630-355-6100 Minnesota 651-697-8500 Wisconsin 262-785-1 COMMUNICATE THE OPTIONS • Communicate options generated from process, including various options for use, density, required public improvements and city financial assistance. www.ehlers-inc.corn