Overview of the Project Phases
The next step in the process is the development of a series of topical background reports will provide existing conditions information to frame the issues the Cities and County are facing as you move forward. This information will help the Task Force understand the various factors affecting the way the communities are currently planning, and how growth may affect the region. As a reminder, this process includes six phases:
I. Project Start-up: This phase was completed over the last several weeks and included the initial kick off meeting with the Task Force. In this phase we gathered data and became acquainted with the key players in the process.
II. Background Reports: The consultant team is using the information we gathered in the start-up and additional data to assess the existing conditions in the county, and cities. These reports include land use and natural resources inventories and conditions, transportation inventory and conditions, public facilities inventory and conditions, and growth forecasts. These reports will be presented to the Task Force and uses as a basis of discussion for the direction of the Strategic Plan.
III. Assessment: Following the completion of the background reports we will move into the assessment phase of the process. In this phase, we will assess the impacts of possible growth scenarios on the county and cities. MDC will look at a geographic allocation of anticipated future growth and then test the affects that scenario has on the ability to provide transportation and facilities to the new population and business, including anticipated costs. In this phase we will also assess the communities’ current planning approach and tools to determine what changes will be needed to manage the anticipated growth.
IV. Common Goals: Once the Task Force has reviewed the assessment we will assist the group in developing a series of common goals. These goals should be mutually agreed upon by all three communities, and will establish the framework for the recommendations of the Strategic Plan.
V. Scenarios & Implementation Recommendations: Using the common goals as a guide MDC will adjust the land use scenarios or planning approach recommendations to help guide growth in a direction consistent with the pursuit of the common goals, we will provide information to the Task Force about various tools or practices that could be put in place to achieve the goals.
VI. Recommendations: MDC will then synthesize the direction from the Task Force on the various tools and practices and the preferred scenarios and prepare a draft plan document. This will go through a review process with the elected and appointed officials with the three jurisdictions to gain support and eventually adoption as the strategic plan for the Bradley County/ Cleveland / Charleston region.