Public participation is a key ingredient for a successful master plan.

Too often, written documents, or master plans tend to accumulate dust without being implemented.  This can be a very frustrating process for the both the governing entity who commissions the master plan process and for the consultant who writes the master plan.  I have noted a few effective ways to avoid this problem.  The first and most important consideration is to involve the public.  If the public is not on board with the master plan, it might as well not be written at all.  The public can be the master plan's greatest asset, or it's greatest liability.  My preferred method of public involvement is through the charrette process.

A charrette is “at least four consecutive days that allows three design feedback loops, an open process that includes all interested parties and is focused on producing a feasible plan with minimal rework.”  National Charrette Institute (www.charretteinstitute.org).

The charrette process is a very effective way of involving the public.  It allows interaction and engagement with the architects, planners, landscape architects, etc.  The charrette provides immediate results from feedback from the public.  Too often the public will offer their feedback in a public forum and not hear back from the consultant for months.  This gives the assurance that yes, their input is being heard and often a part of the plan.

The second consideration is to plan far enough ahead that the goals are attainable and feasible.  The plan must reflect the conditions of the community and not just be a designer's utopian view rubber-stamped on each master plan they produce.  The goals must be attainable and be up by the community.  Every street cannot be a “Main Street” and every structure cannot be LEED Gold.  Attainable goals that meet the needs and desires of the community must be provided.

A third consideration for an effective master plan is to organize it in a clear and concise format where the goals and strategies are clearly documented.  In most instances, they need to be repeated in the document with the concentration of the goals and strategies in an easy to find location.  The document should be written in a way that the end user does not actually need to read the entire document.  I like to use the side caption of a document for major ideas and illustrations.  This is the way that I read a document, by simply skimming it looking for key points.  We shouldn't create something that we wouldn't even read.  When the major points are set off, the document becomes much more concise.  As much as planners like me like to think that everyone will read the entire "masterpiece"  front to back, not many will truly read it all.

I have been a part of writing master plans in Nebraska, North Carolina and Colorado and the reason that I keep coming back for more is the satisfaction that I get when I see that a part of the master plan goals and objectives have been implemented.  The biggest fear with master plan documents is that it will be a stagnant document that sits on the shelf, I am pleased that this has not been the case with the plans I have been involved with.

"Back by Popular Demand!

City schedules third round of “New Code Office Hours” January 6-7 to answer questions on Denver’s proposed new Zoning Code

Still have a question on Denver’s proposed new Zoning Code? Staff from Denver Community Planning and Development will hold another round of “New Code Office Hours” on Wednesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 7 to walk you through your remaining questions on the City’s proposed new code.

These sessions follow our heavily attended November and December office hours and the November City Council/Planning Board Listening Sessions, at which nearly 500 citizens asked questions and shared opinions on the New Code.  This input is being used to inform the final version of the New Code that will be sent to City Council early this year.

The January New Code Office Hours are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, Jan. 6th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 4.I.4 of the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, 201 West Colfax Ave.
• Thursday, Jan. 7th, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Room 1.D.1 of the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, 201 West Colfax Ave.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND please register at the following link so that we may schedule adequate staffing: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MXCCQLN

The remainder of the New Zoning Code process is outlined below. Thank you for your ongoing interest and involvement in the New Code Denver effort. We are thrilled at the level of participation we’ve received from our residential and commercial communities through public meetings, e-mails, phone calls, letters and website interactions – all of which will help Denver deliver a new zoning code that offers clarity and predictability, promotes economic opportunity and preserves Denver’s economic vitality and outstanding quality of life.

New Denver Zoning Code Adoption Schedule:
Jan. 18, 2010 -- Posting of fourth and final draft of the new code on the Internet at http://www.newcodedenver.org

Feb. 17, 2010 -- Planning Board public hearing, after which the Board will forward a recommendation to City Council

Mar. 10, 2010 -- Blueprint Denver Committee of Denver City Council considers new code and whether to approve filing a bill for adoption by the full City Council

Mar. 16, 2010 -- Mayor and Council review and discuss Blueprint Denver recommendation

Mar. 18, 2010 -- Community Planning and Development files a bill for an ordinance adopting the new code to be considered by City Council

Mar. 22, 2010 -- City Council – first reading of new code ordinance proposal"

One of the groups that I'm involved with is The Congress for the New Urbanism.

In September of 2007, Steph and I were two of the five members of a group determined to get a local chapter for the organization in Colorado. EVstudio has volunteered our office space for the monthly meetings along with cash donations at key times. We're happy to announce that last week the volunteers' hard work paid off with the national CNU recognizing CNU Colorado as an official Chapter with over 50 members.

The annual Congress (CNU 17) is being held in Denver in June. The President of CNU, John Norquist came and gave a presentation last week that coincided with our official chapter status.

This post comes from Stephanie O'Hara, Planner Analyst for EVstudio. Immediately prior to joining EVstudio she worked for Jefferson County, Colorado for 6 years in various planning roles. EVstudio looks for planning opportunities in both the public and private sector:

While working at Jefferson County I developed the 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan which is a strategy for housing and community and economic development. The plan outlines goals, objectives and policies based on the housing and community needs for low to moderate income, homeless and special needs populations.

The plan was developed over 2 years with extensive community and stakeholder involvement. A technical steering committee was formed consisting of non-profit organizations that serve the target populations, representatives from participating jurisdictions and governmental/quasi-governmental entities involved in housing, and community and economic development.

The public was involved throughout the process. Numerous community meetings and events were conducted as well as a 30 day comment period when the final draft was completed.

AIA Atlanta does not have a design awards program separate from their state's,  were Denver's program received 92 submittals from a membership 60% as big.