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From growing pains to a blueprint for change, The Grand Vision regional planning effort set the national record for per capita participation in a regional public planning study and is securing prosperity and quality of life for future generations.

Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska and Wexford counties, home to the unassuming communities of my youth, are now considered the fastest growing region in the Midwest. Experiencing an explosive 26 percent growth rate in the last decade, the area's population is supposed to double within 40 years.

When our editorial team needed someone to research the Grand Vision regional planning effort for this issue, I just had to jump in—what was my tip-of-the-mitt cooking up this time?

Ironic Beginnings

Though The Grand Vision was ultimately a highly collaborative project, it actually stemmed from a disagreement over a proposed transportation project. In the aftermath of the disagreement, community leaders with diverse backgrounds came together in search of joint solutions to this and other regional disputes.

Literally thousands of people have already participated in workshops, served on volunteer committees, and engaged through the website. The consultants, who have worked in many of the nation's major metropolitan areas, say they have never seen this kind of public participation—anywhere. The Grand Vision website, February 2009

Thirty-four local leaders selected a consulting firm, Mead & Hunt, that recommended a proposal that included scenario planning as a form of public input. This approach required tremendous participation from area residents and collaboration on all levels with the goal of fully engaging dozens of stakeholder groups and thousands of residents, business leaders, government officials, church leaders, non-profit organizations and schools from the six-county region, ultimately forming The Grand Vision defined as: “a planning effort designed to develop a citizen-led blueprint for growth that will secure the future prosperity and quality of life in the region for generations to come.”

Scenario Planning: It's a Group Thing

Scenario planning presents the public with an opportunity to consider several possible futures. The scenario planning process started with citizen planning workshops to envision different scenarios for the future and to model how these scenarios would move traffic, develop land and supply housing. The goal was to end up with a handful of scenarios to put on a Grand Vision Scorecard that would be widely distributed throughout the area to collect resident feedback.

The following groups were integral to fulfilling the scenario planning process and launching the Grand Vision Scorecard to tremendous public support: The Public Involvement Committee (PIC)—An organized group of dedicated volunteers that collaborate with the consultant team to ensure broad citizen involvement from all six counties in the project study area. Northwest Michigan Council of Governments—As the regional planning agency, this group plays a critical supporting staff role by engaging local government officials in the counties around Grand Traverse County. TC-TALUS—An appointed governmental body with authority for establishing key transportation priorities in the urbanized area around Traverse City. It is comprised of representatives of government and non-profit groups related to transportation. Mead & Hunt—Consultant specializing in strategic visioning, scenario planning, traffic surveying and modeling, economic modeling, community planning, project management, and marketing and outreach.

First Things First, The Grand Vision Decision

In October 2008, the Grand Vision Scorecard was introduced. It put forth four different scenarios for growth (as generated from the scenario planning process), and gave citizens of the region the opportunity to provide input on what they like best about the different scenarios.

From the four original scenarios, one consensus vision for the future emerged, named the "Grand Vision Decision." From this critical point, a widely supported growth plan that will drive the direction of the region will arise.

The Grand Vision blog reported 12,141 people completed the scorecard in October, establishing a new national record for per capita participation in regional public planning studies and providing a wealth of input for the project's future.

The goal was to end up with a blueprint that takes into account today's national and international issues, such as climate change and the rising price of oil, but would have the adaptability to adjust to unforeseen issues decades into the future.

Preparing to Launch

Almost one in 10 people across the six-county region took the time to share their ideas and priorities for shaping The Grand Vision.

Preliminary analysis of the scorecards identified key trends and areas of consensus emerging and described significant characteristics for each of the four proposed land use and transportation growth scenarios.

The scorecard also asked a dozen multiple-choice questions and provided space for personal comments. More than 9,000 written comments emerged.

Working in conjunction with Mead & Hunt, John Fregonese, president of Fregonese Associates, the Oregon-based firm that led public scenario planning workshops, has identified several clear themes that have emerged and should be included in the preferred scenario.

• Minimize pressure and growth in rural areas through focusing new development in villages and cities.

• Include regional bus service connecting cities and villages, and urban transit options in more developed areas. "Significant roadway expansion alone would not likely be met with support," Fregonese said. "There is a strong sentiment that residents do not see additional road building or widening of existing roads as the top priority for using transportation investments."

• Provide a mix of housing types and locations that offer a range of choices for current and future residents.

• Direct positive growth to the towns and villages of the region. Regional bus or other transit is integral.

• Keep the urban footprint small. Cities like Traverse City and Cadillac will intensify with more housing options. Cities and villages alike will be more pedestrian and bike friendly, with a focus on year-round travel via these options. "It is abundantly clear that residents want to see additional spending on bike and walk facilities," Fregonese said.

More details and complete scorecard results, along with maps and preliminary recommendations for key transportation projects, will be included in the draft Grand Vision to be released in February. Additional public input will be sought on the draft plan, with a final Grand Vision expected to be complete in April 2009.

This "Grand Vision" will serve as a blueprint for the community leaders and government officials charged with its implementation, and will drive the direction of growth for the region for decades to come. Implementation tools will be developed over the summer and finalized by September 2009.

To find out more about the Grand Vision, please visit www.grandvision.org.

 

Andrea Messinger is legislative/communications coordinator for the League. You may reach her at 517-908-0302 or amessinger@mml.org.