THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

The Paradise Association of REALTORS® brought in the Corps in 2021, when it was alarmed at the slow pace of rebuilding from the 2018 California wildfire that burned down nearly 20,000 structures in the area.

One recommendation was to bring in a dealmaker from the private sector, someone who could cut through red tape and get things done with streamlined permitting.

Another issue was to focus on affordable housing.

Homeowners tended to have insurance settlements that allowed them to rebuild. Renters were uninsured or underinsured, plus very little affordable housing was being rebuilt in an area that was fairly affordable compared to many areas in the Golden State.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

A verbal presentation is given at the end of the week’s work by CRE’s Consulting Corps (Corps). It is followed up with a longer, written version of expert advice.

Along with intense engagement with a broad base of stakeholders, the value of the Corps’ work is it can create strategies based more in economic realities. Sometimes cities get stuck on an unrealistic redevelopment plan.

“City staff might say ‘we want this land to be industrial and we want to have this company develop it.’

When the market reality might be that the land doesn’t have the infrastructure for industry or the market realities preclude a firm from locating to the site,” Dekoven said.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Samantha Dekoven, director of Public Service Initiatives at The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), helps communities with planning expertise from industry leaders, such as developers, appraisers, economists, asset managers and advisors to pension funds, that invest in real estate.

Through its affiliation with the NATIONAL ASSOCI ATION OF REALTORS® (NAR), CRE’s Consulting Corps (Corps) is able to give an outside opinion from experts and is funded by NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods program.

The Corps does several projects per year, focusing on communities with a problem complex enough to need a team of experts, but narrow enough that the team can create solutions from about a week onsite.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop,  underscored the importance of nuance, within various marginalized groups.

She recalled an online meeting specifically for individuals and organizations who represent people with disabilities.

“One participant was visually impaired, and we were using a lot of visuals for the discussion.

We had to slow down and explain each concept to them because they were not able to see the screen.

This was a good reminder that it’s important to provide opportunities for community input that are accessible to people from all walks of life.”

Garrow also reminds planners to connect with everyday people by avoiding “planner-speak.”

She recalled a time when a member of the community had received a public notice and was flummoxed by its mention of “FAR in a PUD to be heard by the PC.”

The point is not so much to spell out Floor Area Ratio, Planned Unit Development and Planning Commission — but to break down jargon into wording everyday people can understand.

 

 

 

SAUDADES FEATURED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STEVE WRIGHT

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BOOK LAUNCH 

AT BOOKS AND BOOKS THIS MONTH

Steve Wright is a visual and verbal storyteller.

His street photography is inspired by Ara Güler, the Eye of Istanbul. He learned from and edited a book about the great Turkish photographer.

Wright is a Pulitzer-nominated, award-winning writer and has published more than 5,000 professional articles.

His Save My Little Havana, a one-man show photo exhibit opened in August 2023 at the Art Deco Welcome Center in Miami Beach and ran through Thanksgiving.

Several photos by Steve are published in the book, and will exhibited at the Books & Books Gallery Space.

Steve and other artists were present at the Book Launch on October 4, when they signed books.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop, said online surveys are great for people who cannot attend a physical meeting, but noted not everyone is signed up for a city’s website or newsletter, so they may not know about the survey.

“Using yard signs, social media channels, flyers at a busy coffee shop, newspaper ads or radio ads helps increase engagement,” she said.

“I also like to pair surveys within person engagement so you can get the folks who might be rushing through their day.

It is also important to always provide hard copy options.

There are some people who do not have access to a smart phone so having surveys available at the library, community center, senior center or other high-traffic locations is important.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop, is a big believer in face-to-face meetings with stakeholders outside of town-hall-type meetings.

“During a recent project, we wanted to hear from parents with young kids, so we brought ice cream to a busy park by the main childcare facility in town and talked to parents as their kids were playing.

By meeting our audience where they naturally spent time, we were able to gain important feedback,” she said.

“On transportation-based plans, I often like to hold a pop-up event at the transit station.

People are often rushing to their bus or light rail, but you can give them a business card with a QR code to complete a survey on their commute to or from work.”