SUBJECT:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the Town of Erie Recommending that the Town Council Adopt a Resolution Approving the 2024 Update to the 2015 Town of Erie Comprehensive Plan, Known as Elevate Erie
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development
Department
PRESENTER(S): Sarah Nurmela, Director of Planning and Development
Kelly Driscoll, Planning Manager
Josh Campbell, Senior Strategic Planner
Keiley Gaston, Senior Strategic Planner
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 90 minutes
only required for non-consent items
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: NA
Balance Available: NA
Budget Line Item Number: NA
New Appropriation Required: No
POLICY ISSUES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Planning Commission adopt Resolution P24-14 recommending that the Town Council approve the 2024 update to the Comprehensive Plan, known as Elevate Erie.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The Comprehensive Plan update process began in December 2022 in concert with the Transportation and Mobility Plan. The project process included four engagement windows built around collection of existing conditions, visioning, testing of ideas, and review of a draft document. Documents and summaries of this process can be found online on the Plan’s webpage: <http://www.erieco.us/comp-plan-and-tmp>
The first phase of engagement began in December of 2022 and went until April 2023. This phase of engagement uncovered existing conditions in Erie and included seven in-person engagement events as well as an online survey.
The second phase of engagement lasted approximately seven months, until December 2023, with a focus on visioning and defining the direction of the plan. Residents identified the Vision and Values of the plan through five in-person events and an online survey.
The third phase of engagement included public input on the three Land Use Scenarios presented to the Council and Planning Commission in a joint workshop on March 5. Voting for scenarios occurred online and in-person at seven events over four and a half weeks. The plan team utilized the feedback and results of voting to draft the fourth and final land use scenario, otherwise known as the Future Land Use Map.
Public review of the draft document and Future Land Use Map was open from Aug. 14 to Sept. 8. During this fourth phase of engagement, staff held two Open House events where residents could ask questions and provide feedback. A handful of written comments were received from unique users on the project page as well as feedback from 32 attendees at the Open House events. The online and in-person feedback has been incorporated into the document.
Over the course of the project, the plan team engaged with the public at more than 30 events and multiple online surveys, resulting in more than 2,500 touch points. Additionally, 29 advisory meetings with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Plan Advisory Committee (PAC), Planning Commission, and Council occurred during the project. Throughout each of the engagement periods, the PAC and TAC met multiple times to review work product and provide direction and feedback. Consultants Verdunity and EPS engaged to provide Fiscal and Economic Market Analyses.
The draft plan reflects residents’ vision for Erie’s future, while the technical inputs ground it in data and market realities, resulting in an implementable, fiscally sustainable plan.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Staff Report
2. Resolution P24-14
3. Presentation
4. Elevate Erie
5. Notice