August 22, 2009
To support local and regional planning efforts for the GO TO 2040 Regional Plan, CMAP hosted a conference for planning commissioners, elected officials, and municipal staff across the region to dive deeper into topics they deal with every day, highlights included:
• Leadership and Planning Law: Bill Kling provided a legal and policy framework for making decisions, including the implications of constitutional underpinnings and an update on laws that seek to create greater transparency. Click here to see Bill’s presentation.
• Comprehensive Plans and their Impact: Ryan Ames presented on the state of local comprehensive planning in Northeastern Illinois, provided exemplary examples of plans as well as recommendation s for future planning and technical assistance efforts. Click here to see Ryan’s presentation. A full report will be released in September.
• Stormwater Management: Michael Brown explained current stormwater best management practices (BMP) and requirements used in the Village of Montgomery. Click here to see Michael’s presentation. For more information on stormwater management, click here to see CMAP’s strategy report on the topic.
• Planning and Incentives: Ivan Baker offered practical advice on how, when, and why financial incentives ought to be used in development projects as well as how to use incentives as opportunities for leveraging greater public benefit. Click here to see Ivan’s presentation. For more information on incentives, click here for CMAP’s strategy report.
• Infill Redevelopment: Dick Untch gave the background, obstacles, and outcomes of the Dodson Place redevelopment project in Geneva. Click here to see Dick’s presentation. For more information on infill redevelopment, click here for CMAP’s snapshot report.
• Public Engagement: Bridget Lane justified the need for public involvement and offered innovative techniques for engaging the community. Click here for Bridget’s presentation.
This conference also featured a GO TO 2040 Invent the Future workshop. The participants had their say with our new scenario software tool and keypad polling. Click here to see the scenario they built.
One of the highlights of discussion was the recently signed Public Act 96-542 that seeks to enhance transparency in government. CMAP will be hosting a webinar on this topic in the fall. Contact Bola Delano at (312) 386-8690 or BDelano@cmap.illinois.gov for more information.