Public Participation War Stories
0 likes45 views
The document discusses effective strategies for public participation in planning processes, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and reaching 'difficult to reach' populations. It outlines various outreach methods employed in different towns, focusing on community engagement and overcoming barriers to participation. Success stories and challenges faced during planning initiatives are shared, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to ensure diverse voices are heard.
Public Participation War Stories
- 1. Public Participation SUBTITLE: HOW TO COLLECT DIVERSE AND USEFUL INFORMATION MAPD ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 15, 2017 10:30 A.M.
- 3. Who are we? 3 Michelle Collette, Interim Land Use Director/Town Planner, Town of Groton Daphne Politis, Principal,Community Circle Maren Toohill, Planning Administrator/Permit Coordinator, Town of Littleton Judi Barrett, Executive Director, Plymouth Regional Economic Development Foundation
- 4. Why are we here? Public Participation Before During After Inclusive Planning The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 4
- 5. The Groton Story CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS + DEBT OVERRIDE = NO 5
- 6. “Preaching to the Choir” but which choir? 6
- 7. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!” • Needs Survey – mailed to all households with annual census requesting a response from people 60 and older • COA convened six focus groups with 5-6 people in each group • COA Planning Committee worked with EOEA, visited other senior centers, and prepared needs assessment • COA appointed a Feasibility Study Committee 7 Before
- 8. 8
- 9. Public Outreach Town Meeting voted for feasibility study funds to evaluate three public buildings ADA training for employees and volunteers at Senior Center COA Director conducted 16 information sessions from January – April 2016 at multiple locations, weekdays, weeknights, and Saturdays Saturday morning working session (with food!) facilitated by local attorney Town Meeting voted to fund final design and bid specifications/plans 9 During
- 10. Why? Debt-exclusion ballot question defeated at municipal election – 57% no, 43% yes 10 After
- 11. 11 After-After
- 13. What makes someone “difficult to reach”? Too busy Negative attitude English is not first language Comes from non- participatory culture Difficulty getting there (elderly, youth, low income, minority, people with disabilities) • Provide multiple options, including different times of day, on-line • Clear explanation of purpose, make participation meaningful, built trust • Bilingual materials, interpretation • Work with formal and informal leaders to explain process and purpose of participation • Go to where they are 13
- 14. Why Bother trying to reach the “difficult to reach” ? Democratic process implies inclusion Gain support for planning initiatives Opportunityfor community building Excluding members of society leads to marginalization It’s the right thing to do 14
- 15. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Leave Town Hall Neighborhood walk with townofficials Southbridge, MA Making cable TV show withresident voices Holden, MA 15
- 16. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Go to where they are Focus Group held in Spanish @ Social Service Agency Southbridge, MA Evening Basketball Game Southbridge, MA 16
- 17. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Go to where they are Luncheon, Senior Center Millbury,MA High School: Visioningwith students Amherst,NH 17
- 18. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Go to where they are Senior housing Roxbury,MA Pizzeria,popular hang-out place for undocumented Brazilian residents Acton, MA 18
- 19. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Provide on-line opportunities Social Media On-line surveys Webpage 19
- 20. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Join or create town events Master Planning Booth at town event, Lexington,MA Playback Theater event, Saturday night Southbridge, MA 20
- 21. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Join or create town events Feedback stationoutside Crafts Fair Tyngsborough,MA Event held in vacant storefront Southbridge, MA 21
- 22. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Recognize cultural and linguistic barriers Interpreters at Publicmeeting Chinatown, Boston, MABi-lingual Meeting flyer Methuen, MA 22
- 23. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Targeted invitation to participate Youth representative at Round Table discussions Fall River,MA Focus Group, members of the Indian Community Acton, MA 23
- 24. Examples of how to reach “difficult to reach”: Make participation meaningful Provide easy to understand information 24
- 25. The Littleton Story THE QUEST FOR BALANCED DEVELOPMENT 25
- 26. 0 26
- 27. The Northborough Story YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP 27
- 28. Before Old, tired, disorganized Zoning Bylaw Split lots The Industrial district that couldn’t … Divided permitting 28
- 29. Before Contract & scope 1. Implement master plan land use policies 2. Get Town boards on the same page 3. Work with Zoning Subcommittee 4. Write new Zoning Bylaw 5. Make everyone happy 6. Assumption: 32 meetings 29 Planning Board Prediction: “You’ll never need 32 meetings to do this job.”
- 30. During Planning Board- ZBA turf war Building inspector 30
- 31. During Many wars Main Street Mixed uses Gateways Housing Elephant in the room 31
- 32. After Zoning passed! The facelift begins! So does World War III . . . 32 57 meetings later …
- 33. After-After Town Meeting rescinds multifamily use east of downtown ZBA denies two multifamily special permits because they thought it was too dense, yet the developer met the MF requirements in the zoning district 33
- 34. The Elephant 34 The Industrial district that couldn’t … Wegman’s! Use variance: 670,000 sq. ft. commercial space 382-unit very friendly comprehensive permit
- 35. Discussion! 35