Subject:
Title
Comprehensive Plan Update: Community Engagement and Data Development
Body
Background
The Planning Commission reviewed the current Comprehensive Plan, adopted in May 2016, in 2021 and determined the plan does require updates and amendments, consistent with the state requirement of plan review every five years. However, the update process was delayed until the zoning and subdivision code update was completed. The Planning Commission restarted the update process in December 2023, following the code adoption in October 2023.
Activities To Date
Pancakes with Planning Commissioners: Open House Kick-Off
On Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Planning Commission and staff held an open house kick-off event to introduce the Comprehensive Plan update process to the community. Forty-seven (47) members of the public were in attendance, plus all seven (7) Planning Commission members, four (4) members of the Town Council, and staff. The event was publicized through the Vienna Happenings weekly electronic newsletter, the Town’s social media platforms, and emails to the schools that shared a flyer with their student bodies electronically. The written comments received during the open house are provided as Attachment 01.
Vienna Boards and Commissions
As part of the work program for the Plan update, Planning Commissioners and staff have attended meetings of Vienna boards and commissions to introduce the update process and solicit input early in the update process. Commissioners and staff have presented to the Board of Architectural Review, the Conservation and Sustainability Commission, the Town Business Liaison Committee, the Transportation Safety Commission, the Vienna Public Art Commission, and the Windover Heights Board of Review. Some of the groups have requested follow-up meetings with and without staff. The Boards and Commissions have been asked to provide their input within the next 2-3 months, and they have all indicated that they will do so.
Online Survey
Staff developed a short online survey with guidance from the Planning Commission to collect feedback from the community. As of Friday, April 5, 2024, eleven (11) responses were received through the online survey. Those responses are included in Attachment 02.
Data Development
In addition to community engagement, staff have started collecting the background data identified in previous meetings with the Planning Commission and will bring that information to a future meeting.
Next Steps
Staff recommends the Planning Commission schedule work sessions for each of the three working groups to review the information and comments collected related to those chapters and identify additional information needed to begin drafting the plan.
Group 1: Land Use Chapter & Economic Development Chapter
Group 2: Transportation Chapter & Community Facilities and Services Chapter
Group 3: Parks and Recreation Chapter & Environment and Sustainability Chapter
Attachments
Attachment 01 - Public Comments from Comprehensive Plan Open House 3-2-24
Attachment 02 - Online Survey Responses_0405024
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
No motion is needed. The Planning Commission may choose to provide updated direction to staff on the process and next steps.