A.  Consensus-Driven Planning

Consensus is a fundamental goal of planning. It is imperative that the vision that results from a planning process – the Plan – reflects the consensus of participants, stakeholders, and the general public. Consensus is reached through the partnership between a citizen working group and professional staff – working together to consider public input with the citizens representing the broader community interest.

Planning will be based on a consensus-driven process in which all stakeholders, community organizations, landowners, developers, builders, elected and appointed officials, and the public play a role in shaping the policies that drive the plan. Planning merges the community’s intentions and values with the technical analysis conducted by planners.

The result of participation with stakeholders and other interested parties is the development of a plan and policies that concisely articulate the general direction of the community.

B.     Iterative Process

Planning is a process that can be frustrating at times for participants because of its iterative nature – a sometimes circulatory process whereby issues are identified and analyzed, solutions considered, new issues identified, and those solutions considered – until a complete vision has been reached. The challenge is to manage such a process in an efficient manner that maintains participation, completes the effort, and delivers a vision that is supported and achievable. To do that requires a process of defined tasks and a schedule that is adhered to be all participants.

C.  Balancing City-wide Policies with Neighborhood Priorities

One of the key challenges in undertaking neighborhood-level planning is the balance of community priorities and visions with citywide policies and goals. This balance is critical because the resulting plan is adopted as official city policy applicable to a specific planning area. As a result, it must find a balance of the two perspectives. This ensures that it has the broadest possible audience of support and that the plan can be successfully implemented.

D.  Bold yet Balanced by Practicalities

By its very nature, planning is a process that tries to think big, to take the global view and reach consensus on a vision resulting in concrete changes over the long term. But in crafting that vision, the process and decision-making must also consider the practical realities of completing the vision. Is the vision achievable? Is it supportable by numerous stakeholders? Are there sufficient resources to fulfill the intent of the vision? Positive answers to these questions help to ensure that the vision is achievable.

E.   Implementation Focus

Planning to be successful must focus on developing a sound policy basis for the recommendations with a focus on implementation. Policies are presented by subject area. Implementation will be based on recommendations that identify achievable results consistent with the vision, while identifying responsible parties, timeframes, and estimated costs. Implementation should be measurable wherever possible to ensure that it can be monitored and to identify concrete actions for change.

F.  Policies, Standards, and Strategies

Part of the legacy of a plan is to guide implementation through new city policies, recommended standards, and strategies to achieve change as envisioned in the plan. A strong level of detail is required to ensure that all involved fully understand the intent of the plan’s goals and the ways in which those goals are achieved – via policies, standards, and strategies.

G.  Other Public Players

The Planning Division works with the following public entities in undertaking its planning activities:

Development Department. Zoning Office, Building Services Division, Economic Development Division, Land Management Office, Housing Division, Development Department, Code Enforcement, Neighborhood Liaisons, and Historic Preservation Office, Neighborhood Services Division.

Other City Departments. Recreation and Parks Department, Department of Public Utilities, Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Service, and Health Department.

Transportation Agencies. COTA, Franklin County Engineer’s Office, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and Ohio Department of Transportation.

Other Public Entities. The following are among the many public entities that the city works with in planning efforts: Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Community Research Partners, The Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, and Neighboring jurisdictions.