Planning Commission Minutes 2016 08 11

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2016 Page 6 of 29 Integrated Open Space and Trail Networks ... where the City appreciates, manages and preserves the natural environment for community benefit, including its ecological diversity, its outstanding views, clear-cut boundaries, and the interconnected, integrated trail network which makes all parts of the City accessible. Are we creating connections and improving mobility and access? Safe Neighborhoods ... where the City ensures our policies and actions maintain safe, thriving and livable neighborhoods so residents of all ages experience a strong sense of community and personal security. Ecological Diversity ... where the City, through its management of parks and open space and its development and landscape regulations, promotes biodiversity by ensuring a healthy and resilient natural environment, robust plant life and diverse habitats. Excellence in Education and Lifelong learning ... where the City allocates the appropriate resources to our library services and cultural assets and where the City actively participates with our regional partners to foster the region's educational excellence and create a culture of lifelong learning within the City and Boulder County. Civic Participation and Volunteerism ... where the City engages, empowers, and encourages its citizens to think creatively, to volunteer and to participate in community discussions and decisions through open dialogue, respectful discussions, and responsive action. Open, Efficient and Fiscally Responsible Government ... where the City government is approachable, transparent, and ethical, and our management of fiscal resources is accountable, trustworthy, and prudent. As we move into the Small Area Plan process, all of the Vision and Core Values were analyzed. There was extensive public input in the public process with the Comp Plan. We included that with the Small Area Plan and the purpose of that is defining the Vision as it relates to the McCaslin Blvd Small Area Plan context. The Vision and those Core Values were translated into some very important principles rather than Core Values, but they are functioning much in the same way. On page 15 of the plan, there is a section that states "what needs improvement." Based on the Vision and Core Values of the Comp Plan, what needs improvement in this area? What Needs Most Improvement: • Sense of Community • Sustainability — Economy/Community/Environment • Unique Commercial Areas/Distinctive Neighborhoods What came out of the public process was a sense of community and sustainability. Sustainability means economic community and environmental sustainability. These are all connected concepts. You can't have one without the other; a unique commercial area with distinctive neighborhoods. These were the things that, through the public input process, were determined to need improvement for the McCaslin Blvd area. This led into the Principles for the plan. These needs and principles were reviewed by the PC and CC and it has been about one year since that happened. This was an important check -in during the planning process to make sure we were going in the right direction. Six Principles • Development to Meet Fiscal and Economic Goals • Encourage Desired Uses/Facilitate Redevelopment of Vacant Buildings • Improve Connectivity and Accessibility • Enhance Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections • Create Public and Private Gathering Spaces • Create Design Regulations that Reflect Community Vision and Promote Creative Design These are the principles this plan is based on. As you are reviewing the plan this evening, my recommendation is to keep the Vision, the Core Values of the Comp Plan, the Needs, and the Principles of the Small Area Plan in mind. We can ask ourselves, are we achieving what the Vision, Core Values, Needs, and Principles outlined through the planned elements? This evening, Staff is looking for community input and feedback from the Commission on the content on this draft plan with the idea of ultimately recommending a version of this plan to City Council. Some areas of the plan likely still need discussion and final direction before moving on to City