The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency

WHAT IS PLANNING?

planning for the PLAN

planning for THE DREAM

WHAT IS PLANNING?

planning for EVERYTHING

WHAT IS PLANNING?

Planning for CHANGE

WHAT IS PLANNING?

• creates an inspiring vision – what is in it for me?

• engages “change makers”

• makes informed, strategic choices

• utilizes synergy and leveraging

• focuses on action and results

WHAT DOES THE REGIONAL PLANNING

AGENCY DO?

RPA MISSION

To create a comprehensive vision and guide for the community that enhances quality of life by integrating growth with the conservation of resources.

This vision will include both short and long range goals and strategies that public and private community leaders can use to implement these objectives.

WHAT DOES THE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY DO?

Develop and maintain the Hamilton County Comprehensive Plan, and the Long-Range Transportation Plan (sets the long-term vision and direction for the future growth, development character and transportation needs)

Develop plans for large and small areas (area, district, community, neighborhood) that generally focus on land use, transportation and urban design issues/opportunities

Provide research analysis and modeling tools to inform the public or to support public decision-making

Develop zoning/subdivision regulatory tools to promote land development practices that achieve public policy goals

Review rezoning/subdivision/special permit requests

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION?

WHERE DOES RPA PROVIDE PLANNING SERVICES?

• The Regional Planning Agency (RPA) is a joint agency of the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, and provide support planning services to Collegedale, East Ridge, Lakesite, Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, Red Bank, Ridgeside, Soddy-Daisy, and Walden

• We also staff the Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia Transportation Planning Organization

what does the RPA staff do?

PLAN

ANALYZE

FACILITATE

REVIEW

Achieve CommunityGoals

Quality of Life Economic Vitality Public Health

TRANSPORTATION

LAND USE

URBAN DESIGN

Background – Why do we need a Gateway Plan for Moccasin Bend?

Early Vision: Tennessee Riverpark Master Plan, 1985

“it would be a sparkling 25 mile necklace” 2 key anchors: “River’s Bend” and Moccasin Bend

First Phase, Fishing Pier completed in 1989

Ross’s Landing and the Aquarium “River’s Bend” completed in 1992

Coolidge Park Development and Walnut Street Bridge (1995-99)

Designation of 753 acres in Moccasin Bend as a National Park, 2003

21st Century Riverfront Development – Renaissance Park 2006

Stringer’s Ridge Acquisition, Spring 2011

Fullfiling the TN Riverpark Vision….

Fullfiling the TN Riverpark Vision….

Completing Moccasin Bend Park and connecting it to the Riverpark System

Connecting to our early history

Develop one plan that illustrates a shared vision for the entire area that will will help us guide future development, identify and design high quality public spaces, identify potential connections, and protect the integrity of our natural and cultural resources.

Where are we in the planning process?

2010 • City Council requested study (April)• Issued RFP for consultant services

(December)

2011• City Council accepted funding from

Lyndhurst, Benwood, and Office Of Sustainability (March)

• Consultant contract approved (April)

• Stakeholders Caucus Meeting (May)

• Public Meeting to present concepts (August 18)

• Finalize concepts and present at public meeting (October/ November)

• Present plan for adoption (Dec/January)

2012• Begin detailed designs for

Riverwalk, streetscape, etc.

What is next and how can I get involved?

GREATER CHATTANOOGA REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN

Why do we need a Regional Growth Plan?

1) Our region is poised for tremendous change…. Volkswagen, Wacker‐Chemie, Alstom and Amazon

Chattanooga has also completed the nation’s largest 100% fiber‐optic network, providing all homes and businesses in a 600 square‐mile area up to 1 Gig internet speeds

Chattanooga metro area has the largest volume of interstate freight through traffic of any metro area in the country

The region has also become noted for its scenic, cultural and civic amenities which are highly valued by its residents and area visitors, and a key asset to recruiting and retaining its major employers

Projected population growth for Chattanooga Metro Area: 166,000 in next 30 years

2) We are all connected to the same region. We all live, work and play in the same “regional playground”

Why do we need a Regional Growth Plan?

3) We have a rare opportunity to develop a vision and guide that reflects what we value about our region so that as we

grow, we can continue to enjoy our “regional playground” as a great place to live, work and play

Why do we need a Regional Growth Plan?

UNLESS…. YOU LIKE RISKING THE ALTERNATIVE….

"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else."

Regional Growth Plan What does the area include?

6,300 square miles

Nearly 1 million population

16 Counties

3 States

Chattanooga, Cleveland and Dalton

Regional Growth Plan What will it accomplish?

bring the region together under a common vision and prioritized action agenda

PEOPLE: relationships/values/vision

rural

urban

young

citizenpublic official

business non-profit

government

old

TOOLS: connectnow to the future

provide community leaders with decision‐making tools and data that connects current decisions with long-term outcomes

Regional Growth Plan What will it accomplish?

Regional Growth Plan What will it accomplish?

ACTION: what is the NEXT BIG

IDEA?

identify strategic transformative project ideas that will significantly impact the long‐term economic, social, cultural and environmental well‐being of the region

?

Regional Growth Plan Where are we in the planning process?

Currently in the “pre-planning” process.

What does that mean?

1) Securing commitments from the public and private sector to participate both financially and in-kind

2) Pursuing a federal regional planning grant

3) Selecting a consultant team to provide professional support and guidance to the process

Regional Growth Plan What are the next steps?

Oct. 2011: Select consultants

Dec. 2011: Secure all financial commitments

Spring 2012: Launch public process

What will the public process be like?Regional Growth Plan

Ongoing: from start to finish

Widespread: throughout the region

Informative: build understanding/awareness

Engaging & Fun!: promotes commitment to action

Meaningful: the final product truly represents the collective work of the participants

Diverse: provide opportunities for traditionally under-represented populations to participate

Accessible: provide multiple “portals” for public participation

What will the public process be like? How can I participate?Regional Growth Plan

Some things you will be doing…..

WHAT DO WE VALUE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

WHAT TYPE OF FUTUREDEVELOPMENT SCENARIO BEST

ACHIEVES OUR VISION?

SCENARIO BUILDING:

VISIONING:

ACTION PLANNING:

HOW DO WE GET THERE FROM HERE? WHERE DO WE START? WHO WILL LEAD IT? WHERE WILL THE RESOURCES COME FROM?

What will the plan address?Regional Growth Plan

EVERYTHING that is critical to the livability and long-termprosperity of our region

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

TRANSPORTATION

HISTORY/CULTURAL IDENTITY

ENVIRONMENT

ENERGY

HOUSING

RECREATION

BEYOND TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE

How long will it take?

Regional Growth Plan

2 – 3 years

What organizations are currently involved in the project?

Foundations: Benwood, Community Foundation, Lyndhurst, Maclellan

Local Governments: City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Whitfield County, Cleveland

Planning Organizations: Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, Regional Planning Agency/CHCNGA TPO, Southeast TN Development District

Business Organizations: Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Chamber of Commerce

Bonny Oaks Corridor Study

EnterpriseSouth

• Develop zoning strategies and polices to accommodate potential land use changes initiated by increases in transportation capacity within the corridor.

• Build on collaboration with TDOT

• Integration of land use and transportation needs

• Visual representations of future land use scenarios within the corridor

Project Objectives

Project Lead: Kelly Martin, Senior Planner

Lead Dept. Director: Melissa Taylor

Places for PeopleChattanooga’s Master Plan for Parks & Recreation Facilities

• Identification & Inventory

• Facilities Assessment

• Recommendations• Apply for Federal &

State grants

Plan Update PurposeThe goal of the project is to produce an updated comprehensive master plan projecting out to 2020.

Project Lead: Karen Rennich, Deputy Director and Melissa Taylor, Director of Strategic Long-Range Planning

Strategic Evaluation of Transit for 2040: Shifting the Mode Choice

Where to be in 2040, 2050, 2070?

• How do we position transit as a more attractive option for choice riders?

• Integrated/connected multimodal systesm• Land use policies and practices that support

transit (density-oriented development)• Options for local transit funding for

transportation• Other types of mass transit are operating

(high-speed rail, light rail, bus rapid transit)• Performance-based planning (setting

targets for VMT reduction)• Linking transit to economic development

and quality of life objectives

Project Lead: Melissa Taylor, Director of Strategic Long-Range Planning

Planning: Your Role as a Citizen and Stakeholder

Plans do not implement themselves

Plan implementation takes the commitment and leadership of people, time and resources

Planners have great expertise, tools and resources, but not all the expertise and knowledge that is needed to create a great plan

the Regional Planning Agency

Chattanooga-Hamilton County, Tennessee

April 7, 2011

www.chcrpa.org757-5216