Morrisville Land Use Plan 2009

Appendices

A ppendix C. H ow T hese P lans W ere C reated

Public Involvement Methods A true highlight of the Morrisville Land Use and Trans- portation Plans Update Project (the “Project”) was the extensive and innovative use of public involve- ment. Over the course of the plans update pro- cess (October 2007 through May 2008), there were three public workshops with interactive group exer- cises, three focus group meetings, seven meetings of the Plan Advisory Committee (PAC), one online and paper public survey, and an ongoing project website and hotline phone number. The graphic to

Plans Update Schedule (September 2007 - November 2008).

the left illustrates the schedule of the planning process as well as the board review process. Over the course of this public input process, there were at least 248 meeting attendees, equating to 180 unique individuals who took part in the active planning process, excluding town staff and consultants. In addition, 180 public surveys were received (the surveys were anonymous, so we don’t know how much overlap existed with the meeting attendees). At each public workshop and focus group meeting, a large map of Morrisville and the sur- rounding area was displayed, and participants were encouraged to place sticky dots on the map to represent where they live, work and shop. This map, pictured at left, allowed the staff and consultants to track the geographic diversity of the participants, Ensuring not only adequate numbers of participants but a diverse group of participants was a primary goal of this public involvement process. More detail on each of the outreach methods is Three public workshops and one Open House were conducted to engage the public on land use and transportation issues. Each public workshop followed a similar format but with a distinct focus. The workshop began with dinner provided to all attendees, followed by “meet & greet” time to eat and visit with other participants. Brief presentations by the consultants and staff were introduced by Mayor Jan Faulkner. Then the participants were divided into small tables of 6 to 8 people for the group exercises, where they could actively participate in the planning process. At the end of each meeting, the results of the small groups were presented to the large group. The focus and group exercises of each meet- ing are discussed in more detail below. Each workshop also featured handouts (informa- tion to take home as well as quick comment cards to fill out and hand back) and addi- tional information presented on posters in the back of the room. Several Town Planning Department staff members and consultants were on hand to answer questions about the planning process or development in Morrisville in general. Raffle prizes were given away at each workshop as an incentive for participation. There was excellent attendance at the public workshops, with over 80 attendees at each. Each of the three public workshops was advertised through an announcement in the town newsletter and citizen email listserv, as well as flyers posted at Town Hall, schools and other gathering spots. In addition, for the second and third public workshops, postcards adver- tising them were sent to each of Morrisville’s 6,700 households and businesses. October 29, 2007. The purpose of this first Public Workshop was to gain insight from com- munity members about what they like about Morrisville and what issues they would like to see addressed in the future. The workshop also served to introduce the public to the Land Use and Transportation Plan Update process. Each small group was given a large map of Morrisville, colored sticky dots, markers, and a large sheet of paper. They were asked to answer the following questions: What elements of great communities does Mor- risville have or lack? and What do you want to see for the future of Morrisville?. Then they marked on the large map the areas they would like to preserve, areas they would like to change/improve, and five road intersections that they would like to see improved. When groups were ready, a spokesperson from each small group presented a summary of their discussion to the larger group. January 31, 2008. This workshop focused group discussion on specific land use recom- mendations for areas of town that have the most potential to change. Each group was given large maps of Morrisville showing the land that is vacant and has redevelopment potential, as well as transparent circles showing ¼-mile and ½-mile walking distance, col- ored sticky dots, markers, a notepad. They were asked to place the circles on the map where activity “nodes” should be, write and use dots to mark desirable future land uses, and draw transportation connections that are needed to improve circula- tion in Morrisville. In addition, several posters and a computer display in the back of the room presented a Visual Preference Survey, showing photos and graphics of different design types for various land uses. Participants marked their preferences on handouts for the staff. March 27, 2008. The purpose of this third public workshop was to gain public input on the transportation improvement priorities of the public. Each group was given a large map of Morrisville, markers, string, dots, scissors and tape. A staff “banker” was assigned to guide the exercise for each group. Each group was allocated a transportation improvement “budget” and told the costs for new roadways, new greenways, and bus service, etc. The partici- pants had to work together and with their banker to prioritize the different types of projects while staying in budget. They marked their selections by taping different colored lengths of string to the maps where they would like to see improvements. In addition, there were draft alternative land use scenario maps in the back of the room for people to consider and provide comment on, as well as the draft vision/goals/policies for the plans. included below. Public Workshops

“Dots” map showing where meeting participants

live, work and shop.

Postcard sent to Morrisville residents for January 31 workshop.

Attendees participate in group exercises, have dinner and take the visual preference survey at public workshops.

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C Public Involvement