Wake Forest Community Plan Public Hearing Set for July 7
Posted June 24, 2009
During its June 16 meeting, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners announced that the public hearing for the Wake Forest Community Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 7:30 pm. The hearing will be held at Wake Forest Town Hall and is the beginning of the public review process of the Community Plan.
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Steering Committee presents draft Community Plan to Board of Commissioners – June 16, 2009
Posted June 24, 2009
During the June 16 meeting of the Board of Commissioners, members of the Steering Committee and Town staff presented the draft Community Plan to the Board. Steering Committee Member Debbie Ludas told the Commissioners she was very pleased with the process and the resulting plan document. Ms. Ludas added that one of her favorite aspects of the plan was its policies on connectivity and how such an emphasis can foster a strong community fabric. Planning Director Chip Russell asked the Board for direction on when to begin the public review process. The collective response of the Board was “as soon as possible.”
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Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee - May 27, 2009
Posted June 24, 2009
Since the January “Drop-In Open House,” the Planning Consultant and Town staff have been preparing the draft plan document with input and direction from the Steering Committee. During its May 27 meeting, the Steering Committee finalized the draft Community Plan and made preparations for presenting the Plan to the Board of Commissioners at its June 16 meeting.
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Summary of January 27, 2009 Wake Forest Community Plan Drop-In Open House
Posted February 4, 2009
The third and final town meeting, a "Drop-In Open House", was held Jan. 27, 2009 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Northern Wake Senior Center.
Attendees were invited to take a “walk-around survey” by reviewing several posted policy statements organized by subject (policy area) and record whether they “agree”, “disagree”, or were “not sure” with the policy statement. Participants were also permitted to provide written comments. Over 150 interested citizens attended the session to review and comment on 24 policy areas comprised in over 200 policy statements.
Planning Director Chip Russell is encouraging anyone who was unable to attend the Jan. 27 open house to offer their comments on the draft policy statements by taking the “walk-around survey” and returning it by Feb. 19, 2009. Simply download the walk-around survey, record your comments in the fields provided, save and return via e-mail to crussell@wakeforestnc.gov. If you prefer, you may print out the survey, fill it out, then mail or drop it off at the Wake Forest Planning Department Office, 221 South Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Upon receipt of all survey comments, the planning consultant and the steering committee will review the results, revise the policy statements as appropriate, and then begin assembling the draft plan document.
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Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee Meetings - January through September 2008
Posted October 17, 2008
Since January, the Community Plan Steering Committee has met monthly to review, revise and refine the draft policy chapters prepared by the Planning Consultant, Glenn Harbeck. So far, there are a total of 24 policy chapters which are grouped by 5 major headings: Town Areas, Town Transportation, Town Appearance, Growth Management, and Quality of Life. The policies proposed in these draft chapters will, when adopted, become the officially adopted positions of the Town of Wake Forest government.
In October and November, the Steering Committee will be finalizing the draft Growth Strategies Map and reviewing the Action Agenda. The Growth Strategies Map is a visual tool that identifies growth areas to where various forms of development and redevelopment might best occur and where natural and cultural resources should be conserved. The Action Agenda is a “to-do-list” of things that could be done in support of the Vision Statements and Policies.
In December, the Planning Consultant and Town Planning Staff will be finalizing the draft plan document for posting on the Town website. In early 2009, the third and final Town Meeting will be held to present the policies, growth strategies map and action agenda for public review and comment.
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Community Plan Overview Update Now Available in Streaming Video
Posted January 28, 2008
The Town of Wake Forest has added two streaming video segments to its Community Plan webpages. The first video provides an overview of the Wake Forest Community Plan. Located at the top of the Community Plan home page, the video features interviews with Planning Director Chip Russell and Planning Consultant Glen Harbeck, who explain the Community Plan process and the purpose for such a plan.
The second video, recorded in December 2007, again features Russell and Harbeck who describe where the Town is in the community plan process and what residents can expect over the next several months.
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Summary of November 15, 2007 Wake Forest Community Plan Second Town Meeting
Posted January 8, 2008
The second town meeting was held on November 15, 2007 in the Christian Life Center at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. The session began with a powerpoint presentation of the vision statements led by consultant Glenn Harbeck, with assistance from the Steering Committee, select Town staff and Planning Board members. These 15 vision statements, carefully drafted from comments received at the first town meeting held in April, comprise a new Vision for Wake Forest.
The purpose of the evening’s meeting was to ask the over 100 citizens in attendance their ideas for strategies and actions that will make the Vision, as described by the fifteen vision statements, a reality. There were 15 round tables, one for each of the 15 vision statements. Attendees were asked to select a vision statement they would like to explore for the first round, then change to a second table and vision statement.
Brainstorming discussions were facilitated by Steering Committee members, Planning Board members and Town staff. Ideas and comments were recorded on flip charts and displayed throughout the auditorium.
The meeting concluded with the group facilitators presenting a summary of comments received. Since the meeting, all of the citizen comments recorded on the flip charts have been typed up for more detailed review by the Steering Committee, Town staff and Harbeck. These comments will be used for reference during the next phase of the planning process - policy development.
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Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Posted October 27, 2007
Consultant Glenn Harbeck discussed the Plan format and structure with the Steering Committee and explained the major components of the plan and how they will work together.
The Steering Committee confirmed the date, time and location of the second community meeting. The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2007 in the Christian Life Center at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Glenn Harbeck reviewed the working agenda for the upcoming meeting and explained that the purpose of this meeting was to get ideas and suggestions for strategies and future actions to help realize the vision as defined by the vision statements. Notification of the meeting will be made by mailing of publicity flyers, e-mail notification, town web site, newspaper articles, Cable TV Channel 10 and word of mouth invitation.
Lastly, Glenn Harbeck began discussions on the mapping component of the Growth Factors Analysis. Several maps were presented showing the physical systems, both natural and man-made, of the Town of Wake Forest. These systems will provide the Steering Committee with information needed for understanding opportunities and constraints as they relate to the development of a Growth Strategy Map for the community plan.
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Community Plan - Special Town Meeting Set for November 15
Posted October 17, 2007
Thanks to everyone who turned out for the first special town meeting on April 19, there is a new vision for Wake Forest that says where we want to be.
During that inaugural session, over 200 citizens of Wake Forest voiced nearly 1,000 concerns and ideas for the future of our town. Since then, Glen Harbeck, our consultant, working with the Town Board-appointed Steering Committee has carefully reviewed all 1,000 of those citizen concerns and ideas looking for common themes. These themes led directly to a new Vision for Wake Forest.
Among other things, the new Vision includes statements for:
- Keeping a small town feeling and identity
- Promoting a more walkable and bikeable community
- Creating an expanded park and open space system
- Directing balanced, compatible commercial development
- Encouraging affordable, quality residential development
- Enhancing Wake Forest as a destination for arts and culture
- Facilitating a vibrant, pedestrian friendly downtown
Now, it’s time to take the next step…
The Town of Wake Forest will host a special town meeting on Thursday, November 15 to examine the new vision statements with an eye toward making them happen. With your help, we’ll identify actions to make the new vision a reality. The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Wake Forest Presbyterian Church Christian Life Center, 12605 Capital Blvd. Area residents, property owners, and other interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
Our meeting agenda is as follows:
- Present the new Vision for Wake Forest.
- Discuss strategies and actions to help make the Vision a reality.
- Summarize what we discover together.
- Discuss what’s next.
Expect a fast moving meeting—you’ll share in the new vision, join in a discussion on strategies, summarize actions, and discuss what’s next—all before adjourning promptly at 9:00 pm.
Don’t miss out. We want to see you there!
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Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Posted September 25, 2007
The Steering Committee further reviewed and refined the Vision Presentation which will be presented at the upcoming second community meeting.
The Committee selected two dates, November 1st or November 15th, for the second community meeting pending the securing of a meeting location.
The consultant, Glenn Harbeck, presented the Population, Housing & Economic Analysis report to the Committee for review and discussion. This report is the first in a series of analyses which comprise the Growth Factors Analysis phase of the plan process. The purpose of the Growth Factors Analysis is to provide for a factual basis for understanding the physical, social and economic context for growth in and around the Town of Wake Forest.
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Wake Forest Community Plan Sterring Committe Meeting
Posted Auguest 28, 2007
The Steering Committee reviewed the draft Vision Presentation prepared by consultant Glenn Harbeck. This presentation will be aired at the upcoming second community meeting. The presentation will include the fifteen draft vision statements with pictures taken by the Steering Committee. The pictures will provide an image to help convey the vision described in the vision statements.
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Steering Committee Set to Meet August 28
Posted August 21, 2007
The next meeting of the Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee is set for Tuesday, August 28. The meeting will get underway at 7:00 p.m. at the Wake Forest Town Hall. The public is invited to attend. A copy of the meeting agenda is available for viewing and downloading.
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May 22 Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee Meeting Summary
Posted August 21, 2007
The Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee reviewed the report prepared by planning consultant Glen Harbeck. Harbeck’s report sorted the comments recorded during the April 19 special town meeting into various categories and subcategories and indicated all the recorded votes.
The steering committee also reviewed draft vision statements prepared by Harbeck. From the categorized listing of comments, he identified 15 specific themes emanating from the comments. For each theme, Harbeck utilized key words and phrases from both the “Desired Future” and Undesired Future” lists to craft corresponding vision statements.
After extensive discussion and editing, the committee finalized the draft vision statements. The vision statements are written in future tense, as though it is now 2025 and we are looking back at what has happened as a result of the actions identified in the Wake Forest Community Plan. The vision statements may change and evolve as the plan process progresses.
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Update - Report and Master Comment List Now Available
Posted August 21, 2007
Following the April 19 special town meeting, Town staff created a master listing of all the recorded comments and corresponding votes. Next, planning consultant Glenn Harbeck tabulated the comments and votes by category. The subsequent report and master comment list are available for viewing or downloading.
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Summary of April 19, 2007 Special Town Meeting
Posted August 21, 2007
Over 200 area residents gathered with elected officials, advisory board members and Town staff at the Wake Forest Community House on April 19 for the first in a series of “special town meetings” designed to solicit citizen input for the preparation of a new Community Plan.
Following the welcome and introductions, attendees participated in a visioning exercise led by Planning Consultant Glenn Harbeck who separated the participants into groups of eight to 12 people and asked them to respond to the following two-part question:
- What are some aspects of a desired future for Wake Forest, as you see it?
- What are some aspects of an unwanted future for Wake Forest, as you see it?
Group facilitators recorded the responses onto flip charts and posted the sheets throughout the Community House for everyone to view and consider. The exercise concluded with attendees noting their top concerns, ideas, and interests from among all the recorded responses.
Among the items participants included on the overall wish list: bigger libraries, more restaurants and downtown attractions, more greenway trails, public transit, and lower electric bills – just to name a few.
Following the meeting, several attendees expressed their appreciation to the Town for how it is conducting the community plan process. More specifically, they are pleased that their input is being emphasized as such a critical part of the endeavor.
Harbeck said the public’s turnout and participation reflected wonderfully on Wake Forest and its citizenry.
“Without question this evening’s meeting is in my all-time top three in regards to turn-out and energetic participation on the part of the citizens,” he said.
Planning Director Chip Russell echoed Harbeck’s comments and said he is confident this new planning effort is off to a good start.
“Based on tonight’s outstanding attendance and dialogue, we have direction for the next steps we take in this process.”
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