Community Development
Overview
Once significant Community Character Resources are determined and mapped, the next step is to identify existing and desired Community Development Patterns. In order for Comprehensive Plan 2030 to best reflect the community’s shared vision for the future, it is essential that Brookhaven Town residents participate in the “Community Development Pattern Workshops.”
Community Development Pattern Workshops
The main purpose of these workshops is to identify the desired development patterns for key locations throughout the Town. The results of these workshops will be used to shape the development scenarios that will be explored later in the Phase I, during the Community Development Charrette.
Participate in the Online Visual Preference Survey
After a brief presentation on the scope, process and schedule of Comprehensive Plan 2030 and the results of the Environmental, Cultural and Open Space (ECOS) Workshop and Booklet, attendees will be broken into various groups to focus on the following development scenarios:
- Main Street Development
- Hamlet Development
- Transit−oriented development
- Residential subdivision
- Industrial ⁄ Office Park development
For each topic, a specific site will be pre-chosen by the Steering Committee, based on the following criteria:
- The site is a key area for redevelopment, yet has not been the subject of any prior planning efforts.
- A previous plan was too vague or conceptual for the community to properly envision the type of development being proposed. In this case, the recommendations of the previously adopted plan will be taken into consideration and built upon.
Each break-out table will be facilitated by a member of the Steering Committee and/or a member of the consultant team, and will have the following resources:
- Parcel level map of the area
- Existing conditions report of the area
- Impacts of potential development scenarios on traffic, parking, densities, piped utilities, schools etc.
Each group will be asked to identify design principles for each development scenario, including identification of the mix of land uses; densities, bulk and dimensional guidelines; design considerations; and streetscape components. For each design principle, a menu of choices will be available but will not preclude additional considerations and suggestions.
Six “Community Development Pattern Workshops” will be held in April, throughout the Town of Brookhaven. These workshops are open to the public and invitations will be sent to key stakeholders including the members of the Citizens’ Assembly and citizens who would like to be contacted.
Community Development Charrette
A “Community Development Charrette” will be held over the course of several days to develop conceptual land use plans for several key areas of town based on the preferred development scenarios defined in the Community Development Pattern Workshops. A charrette is an intensive planning session in which citizens, designers, and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the planners and designers. It is staffed by a team of design experts, working with the input and participation of property owners, business interests, government officials, interested residents, and community activists.
Charrette Goals
Through the brainstorming and design activities, many goals can be accomplished:
- First, everyone who has a stake in the project develops a vested interest in the ultimate vision.
- Second, the design team works together to produce a set of finished documents that address all aspects of design.
- Third, since the input of all the players is gathered at one event, it is possible to avoid the prolonged discussions that typically delay conventional planning projects.
- Finally, the finished product is produced more efficiently and cost-effectively because the process is collaborative.
Urbitran Associates − Last Updated 07.29.08