November/December 2007:

The Visioning processes were initiated with an extensive amount of research and data compilation for both of the study areas.  This data was then compiled into a background report for both Jackson Highway and Grant Line East Visioning areas, and a series of basemaps were created depicting existing land uses, transportation, natural resources, constraints and a municipal context for each visioning area.

The Stakeholder interview process was initiated through outreach to potential stakeholders to garner interest in participating in the process, and conducting a series of interviews with other jurisdictions, owners of land tracts of land, special interest groups (name a few of them), service providers and other key stakeholders.  Participants were asked for their opinions regarding potential development in these areas, particular advantages or disadvantages to future development and any other concerns that should be addressed.

January/February 2008:

Background work was completed in January and February of 2008 by finalizing the basemaps as well as the background reports for Jackson Highway and Grant Line East.  The remaining stakeholder interviews were completed by mid-January, and a summary report of the stakeholder interviews was finalized and made public.

 Feedback received from the stakeholder interviews as well as data from background research and materials was compiled and analyzed to create a format for a series of workshops that could be brought before the public in order to receive constructive and meaningful feedback and comments from the community. 

March/April 2008:

Community outreach workshops were conducted at the end of March and April.  The first workshop sought to gather community input regarding general policy direction for potential development in each visioning area, as well as the development emphasis that the community would like to see at buildout in each area.  Summary reports depicting all of the public comment received were compiled for each outreach workshop and made available on the website.

The results gathered from the first workshops were compiled with other feedback received at earlier stages in the Visioning process in order to develop several conceptual land use plans for each visioning area.  The plans that were developed were general and illustrated potential patterns and themes for buildout in each visioning area, as opposed to a detailed land use plan.  These conceptual land use plans were brought back to the community in the second series of workshops which allowed the public a forum to comment on and ask questions regarding the conceptual plans.

Next Steps:

May/June 2008:

The summary reports for the second series of workshops in late April will be finalized and made available on the website.  The feedback received from community members and stakeholders will be considered in creating a final conceptual land use plan.  The final conceptual plans may identify areas in which several alternatives exist, and further input will be sought from the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors as to the most appropriate characterization of these areas.

A circulation and infrastructure plan will also be developed to compliment the land uses and development patterns depicted in the conceptual land use plan.  Additionally, a policy document will be created to accompany the conceptual land use plan for both the Jackson Highway and Grant Line East Visioning Areas.  This policy document will focus on guiding principles and policies for future development in these areas, as well as actions to be taken to ensure logical and well-planned development occurs through implementation of future master plans. 

Late Spring/Early Summer 2008:

It is anticipated that by late spring or early summer, the land use, circulation and infrastructure plans will be finalized and completed along with the accompanying policy document.  Upon the completion of these documents, the final products will be presented to the Policy Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.  These workshops with the hearing bodies will serve as additional venues for community members to view and/or provide public comment on the Visioning process and associated documents.

The Board of Supervisors will be asked for their thoughts and comments and to endorse the final conceptual land use plans and policy documents.  Additionally, the Board of Supervisors will decide how this study should be treated as we move forward.  Possibilities range from accepting and filing the results as a background study, study as a separate project, or incorporate all or a portion of the results of the Visioning processes into the General Plan Update.