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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary_DRAFT PLAN REXBURG: HOW WE LIVE AND GROW PHASE III OUTREACH SUMMARY June 9, 2023 PLAN REXBURG: HOW WE LIVE & GROW REXBURG’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Plan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary | Page 1 CONTENTS Project Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 2 What is Plan Rexburg? ............................................................................................................................ 2 How will this Plan Update help the Rexburg community? ................................................................. 2 Community Event Series #3 ..................................................................................................................... 3 Public participation by the numbers .................................................................................................... 3 Who have we heard from? .................................................................................................................... 3 What have we heard? ........................................................................................................................... 4 Draft Plan Open House Recap .......................................................................................................... 4 Draft Plan Online Review Recap ....................................................................................................... 5 Plan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary | Page 2 Project Overview What is Plan Rexburg? The Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) is a community-informed policy document that considers many facets of the community, including but not limited to how to respond to growth; ensure orderly land use and development patterns; identify where major infrastructure and facilities should be anticipated; manage resource allocation; and promote economic development and regional coordination. The updated Plan will ensure that policies and programs accommodate the challenges and opportunities associated with growth; and support the City in its mission to be “America’s Family Community.” The project timeline below indicates the milestones and outreach events anticipated in each phase: Project Timeline How will this Plan Update help the Rexburg community? • For residents: The Plan will identify community character elements and locations for future housing, parks, trails, community facilities, etc. • For business and property owners: The Plan will include land use recommendations and development policies for properties. • For city leaders: The Plan will provide direction on the topics of development, policies, programs, and services to serve the community. • For decision-makers: The Plan will give guidance on budgets, timing for capital improvements, and review of development proposals. Plan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary | Page 3 Community Event Series #3 Public participation by the numbers Event Name Date(s) Format Participation Steering Committee Meeting #6 April 11 Hybrid 5 participants Draft Plan Open House 2 sessions for the public and 1 for the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council April 25-26 In Person 56 participants Plan Draft Online Review (Online Questionnaire #3) May 4 – June 4 Online 11 commenters Participation on Project Website* 9 commenters 81 *The Plan Rexburg Website had 44 ‘registered’ participants through June 7, 2023. Who have we heard from? While no demographic data was collected at the Draft Plan Open House or on the Draft Plan Online Review platform, we know that participants generally represented a variety of residents, business owners, and other community interests. Draft Plan Open House Participation Plan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary | Page 4 What have we heard? This section first presents a recap from the Draft Plan Open House and later a summary of responses to the Plan Draft Online Review. Draft Plan Open House Recap Appendix A contains all public comments received at the Open House. Goal: To present key components from the Draft Plan to the public for their review. Process: During the Open House, the project team delivered a presentation to explain the project overview, process, and key themes in the Draft Plan. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session. Additionally, key information was highlighted on multiple boards displayed across the room for participants to review and comment on them. Finally, comment cards were provided for the public to submit their comments. Results: 59 comments 56 participants 4 themes Distilling the themes…. • Parks & Recreation: Consider having another park west of HWY 20 - maybe between the highway and 12th W? There are some lots in Willowbrook or the new planned Birch property that the City cand consider. Also, consider an additional park near the new Temple. • Residential Densities/Land Use: Some commentors showed concerns for the proposed densities:  West of HWY 20: “Higher density would put too much traffic on South 12th West. It is part of our stable country neighborhood, which needs protection. To provide more single- family dwellings.”  Generally, across town: “It would be wonderful to see neighborhoods being planned with more land or bigger lot sizes. So many people are leaving the City and moving out to the county. I think planning for growth is important and giving options rather than high density in the city would benefit Rexburg.” • Communication: Consider expanding communication to reach a broader and more diverse audience. Plan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary | Page 5 • Transportation: Most comments pertained to the proposed East Parkway Corridor (EPC), chiefly, not wanting it at all or reconsidering its location and planning process. One suggestion was to consider more use of parks and public spaces within and around the corridor. Another suggestion was for the corridor to be two lanes and 25 mph. These comments were shared with the transportation team to be considered during the June 14 transportation meeting. Results from the transportation meeting will be considered in the Comprehensive Plan Revisions. Draft Plan Online Review Recap Appendix B contains all public comments received via the Draft Plan Online Review. Goal: To present the Draft Plan document in its entirety to the public for their review. Process: A PDF of the Draft Plan was made available online for the public to comment on. Participants were able to see and comment on each other’s comments. Results: 1,268 views 228 total comments 11 commenters Comment Types Below is a summary of key themes/comments. However, Appendix B includes a copy of the whole PDF Document with all public comments received. While most comments were immediately integrated into a revised draft, other comments will be further discussed in a joint meeting with the Steering Committee, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Council. • Gratitude: some comments appreciated the information presented in the Plan and the effort being undertaken by the City. A few other comments, appreciating seeing inclusion of comments suggested in earlier phases. The public is excited to continue participating in planning processes and shaping the future of their community. • Sources: a few comments were made wanting to see the resources being mentioned. Most key resources mentioned, especially City resources (plans, studies, etc.), are hyperlinked in the document and are shown in green and underlined like this. These hyperlinks can be clicked on and will redirect the person to the source. Other comments were about sources that needed to be cited. Changes were made. Plan Rexburg Phase 3 Summary | Page 6 • Character and Values: a few comments highlighted that the keywords in the Plan Rexburg Vision—Character and Values—are not defined anywhere in the document. • Population Data: more comments were received about offering clearer information about the City’s population numbers and process (whether students are counting or not; the methodology, etc.). Given the City’s decision to use consistent numbers across recent planning documents (e.g., the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and the Comprehensive Plan), the TMP team should collaborate with the Plan Rexburg team to ensure data and processes are shared and communicated across all documents. • Health Data: various comments highlighted the need for more clarity. These numbers may be updated with those from the City Health Dashboard which is supposed to be ready this summer. • Implementation Measures Refinement: Suggestions were made to enhance the clarity of action items. Many changes were made as suggested. • Process: The public is interested in better understanding implementation, funding sources, and partnerships, even for community members themselves to support some projects like education campaigns for water conversion and trails programs for Teton River and Madison County. • Transportation: many comments were made about the EPC. These comments were shared with the transportation team. Results from the transportation meeting will be considered in the Comprehensive Plan Revisions. Another suggestion was to have a pedestrian bridge east of Hwy 33/ 2nd East. Lastly, another suggestion made was to consider future plans for the railroad right-of-way as a light-rail transit system to help alleviate the city’s north/south traffic congestion. • Land Use Map and Designations: many comments were made regarding residential densities. Other comments involved changing the colors of the map, reviewing the flood area, and considering offering more guidance and importance to the commercial areas.