Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2012 05 24

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Planning Commission Staff Report May 24, 2012 A focus on people and quality of life A statedtime period The current Vision Statement in the Comprehensive Plan, listed below, provides great words and phrases which describe the Community’s aspirations; however,they are poorly organized and lack a coordinated cohesiveness. Current Community Vision (Core Values highlighted) Louisville is a family-oriented communitythat blends a small town atmospherewith a progressive outlook. Its historic downtown, strong neighborhoods, quality parks and recreational facilities, vibrant commercial districts and comprehensive system of open space and trails distinguish Louisville from cities in the northwest Denver region. The Citywide Comprehensive Plan Update is intended to provide a long range (20 year) vision for the City of Louisville. It is the express intent of the Plan that Louisville will have a population of no more than approximately 23,000 residentswithin the context of this 20 year time horizon. As a small-town in a rapidly-urbanizing, rapidly-changing region Louisville will maintain a balanced, sustainable economic position in the region; a positionthat enables new and existing businesses and investments to thrive; and a position that allows diverse housing opportunities for all income levels and life stages. Louisville will capitalize on regional multi-modal transportation opportunities, such as commuter rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), through transit-oriented development with housing and retail in strategic locations to support a range of safe and efficient ways to travel. Louisville will continue to provide for the Community’s healthand safety by maintaining or enhancing basic services, including, but not limited to roads, water, sewer, storm drainage and public safety services. Yet while change occurs, Louisville will continue to remain true to a rich heritage that values excellence in education, celebrates cultural diversity, supports a broad spectrum of artsand respects the natural environment. The City of Louisville will strive to provide public facilities, including spaces for the creation and exhibition of art in its various forms, to foster a stronger community identityand encourage active community participation. Residents will have opportunities to be well-informed and involved in the future of their community. The City’s Comprehensive Plan will embody the values of its residents and will provide a proactive direction for change as it inevitably occurs. An informed, involved citizenry, the effective and efficient cooperative use of limited resources (whether fiscal, societal, or natural) and proactive collaboration with local, county and regional governments will enable Louisville to achieve this vision. PUBLIC OUTREACH To advance the update of the current Vision Statement, staff conducted working sessions with each of the City’s sixteenboards/commissions, the Downtown Business Association, the Centennial Valley BusinessAssociation, the Colorado Technology Center Metropolitan District, and the Louisville Chamber of Commerce. Staff conducted a community workshop, where over 50 residents, business owners and property owners participated.Finally, staff is maintaining an on-line conversation with over 127 users through the project’s web-site http://www.envisionlouisvilleco.com/. The first 60 days ofthe on-line discussion focused exclusively on the Louisville Vision Statement and the Community Core Values. A detailed summary of the City’s on-line participants and conversations is included as an attachment to this report.In total, over 300 people and ideas have helped shape the Vision Statement and Core Community Values presented below. 3