Goal
The adoption of a focused neighborhood plan to guide land use and community development decisions in the planning district. The plan should include broad policy statements as well as specific action steps. The plan should be in harmony with the Master Plan values, goals and objectives adopted in May, 1997 by the City Council.

Process Summary
The plan will be formulated by a committee of neighborhood residents during a series of neighborhood planning meetings. All interested parties are invited to attend any of the meetings to learn about and discuss the issues, and to make recommendations for the plan. Based on input from the planning meetings, community development staff will draft a plan for the review, revision and approval of the neighborhood planning committee.

The proposed plan will be submitted to the Plan Commission for an official public hearing (required for any action that would amend the City's Master Plan). The Plan Commission will recommend the neighborhood plan to the City Council, with or without revisions. The City Council has the authority to officially adopt a final neighborhood plan, and to amend the City's Master Plan to incorporate the neighborhood plan.

Roles and Responsibilities
Neighborhood Planning Committee Members: Members of the Neighborhood Planning Committee are neighborhood residents who agree to regularly attend a series of planning meetings to formulate a neighborhood plan to be considered by the Plan Commission and City Council for adoption as part of the City's Master Plan. In making recommendations and adopting a plan, committee members are encouraged to set aside personal interests, and to consider the broad issues and input from all residents as well as the Master Plan Goals and Objectives approved by the City Council in May 1997. When consensus cannot be reached, decisions about the proposed neighborhood plan will be determined by a vote of the Neighborhood Planning Committee.

Other Residents: All residents are encouraged to learn about the issues, participate in the meetings, and forward recommendations or written comments to the Neighborhood Planning Committee.

Plan Commissioner Representatives: The role of the Plan Commission representatives is to serve as a liaison between Neighborhood Planning Committee and Plan Commission. They may review and approve the meeting agendas, facilitate the meetings as needed, and answer questions and provide background information at the meetings. They are not considered voting members of the Neighborhood Planning Committee.

Community Development Staff: Community Development staff is responsible for organizing, publicizing, facilitating and keeping a record of the meetings. Staff will draft the neighborhood plan based on the discussion and recommendations from the planning meetings, and will make revisions to the report as requested by the Neighborhood Planning Committee. After the plan has been adopted by the Committee, staff will forward the proposed plan to the Plan Commission with a staff report.

General Timeline and Meeting Summary

KICK-OFF MEETING - PURPOSE:

• To identify and prioritize neighborhood issues and concerns.
• To identify neighborhood strengths and positive characteristics.
• To inform residents about the upcoming neighborhood planning process, and to encourage their involvement by volunteering as a member of the neighborhood planning committee and/or attending future planning meetings.

ISSUE MEETINGS (3-5 Months)

• The first issue meeting should begin with a report of the results of the Kickoff meeting, i.e. a Summary of Neighborhood Character, Issues/Concerns, and Priorities. Also present a tentative work program/meeting schedule to address the issues identified at the Kickoff meeting. Introduction of volunteers for the neighborhood planning committee.
• A series of four to five meetings will be held, each of which will focus discussion on a particular issue. Relevant background information about the neighborhood will be presented. Representatives of other City Departments, Commissions or outside organizations will be invited to attend the issue meetings as needed.
• Community Development Staff will draft sections of the neighborhood plan, based on the discussions and recommendations at the issue meetings.

MEETING(S) TO REVIEW THE PLAN (1-2 MONTHS)

• Community Development Staff will distribute a draft neighborhood plan prior to the meeting for review by the Committee Members and other interested parties.
• Committee will discuss the report and make revisions to the plan as necessary.
• Revised plan will be distributed by Community Development Staff prior to the next meeting.
• When no further revisions are required, the Committee will vote on the neighborhood plan to be submitted to the Plan Commission.

  When consensus cannot be reached, decisions about the neighborhood plan will be determined by a vote of the Committee Members.

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PLAN ADOPTION (2 Months)

• Plan Commission will hold a public hearing to review the proposed neighborhood plan and to make a recommendation to the City Council.
• Adoption of a plan by City Council.

GRAPHIC LAYOUT AND PRINTING (1-2 Months)

• Produce final layout of the plan with the aid of a graphic designer if needed.
• Print copies of plan for distribution.

IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION (On-going)

• Implement the plan as detailed in the plan's "Action Elements" and areas of responsibility.
• Schedule a neighborhood meeting within six months to provide a status report concerning plan implementation. Thereafter, schedule annual status meetings in the neighborhood.
• Assign specific responsibilities for the implementation of the plan using the annual Budget Forum process.
• Evaluate progress by determining if specific "Action Elements" are accomplished. A "livability index" or "community indicators" may also be used to evaluate progress in reaching city-wide and neighborhood goals.
• Update the plan and "Action Elements" as needed.