Do you know where your ward boundary is? I suspect not. It isn't something that you pay attention to. You know your ward, and you know who your Councilor is, and you know where to vote. That is the important tri-fecta, but where the ward boundary is? Why would you need to know that?
I can think of a few reasons, but that said, I understand and don't think many people, other than those running for Council, worry about the size of their ward. Now comes that time when we all find out where the boundaries are. After every decennial census we are mandated by law and statutes to review and adjust ward, and for that matter state and federal districts are reviewed and adjusted as well. The goal is to get as close to one person one vote representation.
The one vote one resident concept is a hall mark of representative governing. On the local level we have to adjust the ward boundaries to ensure that each one is within 1 percent population of each other ward. This works out to a swing of less than 300 resident difference in each ward.
There are six wards in the City, and this won't be affected by the changes that will be proposed. The wards are intended to be bounded by natural boundaries (rivers etc) and definitive physical barriers (roadways, and the railroad). Currently the ward populations range from approximately 4500 residents in wards 1 and 2 to over 5500 residents in wards 5 and 6.
In my mind, wards 5 and 6 will be viewed as donor wards, shifting population to wards 1 and 2. This will ensure that the residents of wards 5 and 6 receive the representation they are intended to, closer to 1 to 1, than the current set up.
It makes sense that wards 5 and 6 have the highest population, as they have had the largest land areas developed in the past ten years. If you look at the census data is correlates accurately to the development trends we've witnessed in Dover and also with the amount of available developable land.
I started with the City June 1, 1997. Fourteen (14) years tomorrow, which is astonishing to me, in many ways. I know I have thiner in hair, and a thicker middle, but what I find funny is that I am at that point of scratching my head about projects and the way we've done them before. According to the minutes from the meetings in the summer of 2001, I was involved with the last ward adjustments.
I recall basics about that effort. I recall coming up with the population numbers and running the calculations to see what the 1 percent number for populations should be. I recall discussing how not to split neighborhoods up, but mostly I recall learning the lesson that you need to avoid politics from the process and get back to the core natural and physical boundaries, and one vote one person.
On May 25th, the Mayor appointed a committee for this year's redistricting, and I am the only one who was involved 10 years ago. That makes me feel old. I was in a different role at that time, and as with most experiences, this will be a much different project and have different outcomes; how can it not with different players involved, and a different climate involved.
I am looking forward to the process, and project. I like puzzles and like the idea of systematically working through the project to ensure that we are all fairly represented. I find it ironic that my ward, 5, will be one where population needs to be shifted the most. Not quite sure how things will work out, but none the less it will work itself out.
I am looking forward to the outcome and will use the blog as a way to update us all on progress, and when we present the group's recommendation to the City Council in a month, we can sit back and enjoy the next step of working to get a charter amendment before the public discussing changes that need to take place, and I'll go over that step then.
Until then, enjoy the heat and I hope you can relax and enjoy the coming summer.
Showing posts with label process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label process. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Master Plans
The City of Dover, as with most communities in New Hampshire, is required under state law, to routinely develop and evaluate a comprehensive or master plan for itself.
A Master Plan is a set of statements about land use and development principles for the municipality with accompanying maps, diagrams, charts and descriptions to give
legal standing to the implementation of ordinance and other measures of the
Planning Board.
The plan should lay out a physical plan which takes into account social and economic
values describing how, why, when and where the community should build, rebuild and preserve.
With this blog entry I hope to go over the various chapters and the process involved with reviewing and implementing the Master Plan. You can review Dover's Master Plan online.
Process
There are eight smaller steps that make up four major components of Master Plan development The first segment in preparing a plan is to determine the vision for the Community. We have accomplished this in the past through telephone and hand surveys, speak out sessions and focus groups.
The second component is to outline and evaluate different outcomes, whether they be land uses or infrastructure options. From there, you select a preferred alternative, and recommend that alternative within the MP.
The third component is the implementation of the plan. This can be changing regulations and guides, or performing infrastructure (capital) improvements.
The fourth step is the monitoring step. You need to evaluate the implementation and how it has impacted a community. This component flows back into the community visioning component as you move through the cycle.
The Chapters:
Land Use Analysis – 2007
The place we know as the City of Dover will become a different place in the course of our lifetimes. In some small way, it may even be different tomorrow. By evaluating the past and making recommendations toward the future, we can ensure that the community develops and grows in a managed and meaningful way. This plan is a statement of what the Dover community hopes to be, and how it might get there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recreation – 2009
Recreation is an integral component of a healthy, sustainable community and should receive commensurate investment. In Dover, it is believed that Recreation issues are complex and require high attention, wise decisions, sensible implementation, and collaboration among different city departments. The goals established in this document here are similar to those in the past (2000). The mission of Recreation in Dover may not change much with each Master Plan update, but the ways in which Dover accomplishes those goals may.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural and Historical Resources - 2000
Dover’s natural resources are a critical consideration in establishing a proper approach for land management. Understanding natural resource values provides a rational basis for determining which areas of the City are more appropriate for protection and open space and which areas are more suitable for development. Natural resources such as slope, soils, and vegetation, wildlife, and water resources add to Dover’s character, provide recreational opportunities and contribute to the quality of life for Dover residents. These natural resources also provide both opportunities and constraints for growth. Steep slopes and wetlands, for example, are less suitable for development, while better drained, flatter areas are more suitable. On the other hand, these well-drained areas may be associated with groundwater areas that require protection. Thus, the natural resource base of Dover provides an important factor as the basis for local land use decisions. The following is a description and analysis of Dover’s natural resource base.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Facilities and Utilities - 2009
The City of Dover and its employees are recognized as providing a high level of effective services. The Dover government is a large, complex organization delivering a wide and diverse range of services to the residents and businesses of the City. City business is conducted by the City Council managing about half of the budget and the School Board managing the rest with only bottom line funding approval by the Council. By definition it is a bureaucracy and, like most other bureaucracies, our City government and its activities has evolved over time to meet the new demands placed on it by growth. Sometimes that growth has been slow and steady and sometimes it has been very rapid such as we are currently facing as we enter the new millennium. In either case, attention has sometimes been focused on meeting the new needs rather than finding ways to deliver existing services in the most efficient way. The City and School budgets have been developed separately without first setting limits for combined growth and identifying areas of mutual need and possible joint efforts to hold costs down. This has resulted in adding new people, facilities, equipment, and activities at ever-increasing costs. Efforts at last minute budget cutting to hold cost down have sometimes been misdirected to things such as deferring necessary maintenance or new programs, which eventually resulted in higher costs. Dover needs to change that approach to managing its business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Space - 2000
Dover has a long history of placing a priority on environmental protection and management. Open Space and Recreation Plans were developed in 1973, 1978, 1988 and the 1988 City-wide Master Plan contained a detailed chapter on the open space and recreation needs of Dover. This chapter serves as an update to the 1988 Master Plan and integrates the information and recommendations contained in previous plans with the most recent needs that have been identified in Dover.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation - 2000
This chapter of the City of Dover Master Plan is intended to set policies and goals while providing a comprehensive vision for transportation. Dover will invest in, maintain and properly manage or regulate a coordinated, safe, efficient, and effective transportation system that promotes the long-term goals of its citizens and businesses expressed in this Master Plan. The City acknowledges this system to consist of public and private infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, parking facilities, trails and transit centers as well as services such as transit, taxis, and traveler information resources. This system will enhance the quality of life for residents and the quality of experience for visitors and tourists while preserving the character and strategic advantages of the City for current and future generations.
Conclusion
Phew. As you can read, there is a lot involved with the Master Plan. We are constantly reviewing this living and dynamic document as we make budget and policy decisions. My hope is that you will see us update the Open Space and Natural Resources chapter over the coming months. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know.
A Master Plan is a set of statements about land use and development principles for the municipality with accompanying maps, diagrams, charts and descriptions to give
legal standing to the implementation of ordinance and other measures of the
Planning Board.
The plan should lay out a physical plan which takes into account social and economic
values describing how, why, when and where the community should build, rebuild and preserve.
With this blog entry I hope to go over the various chapters and the process involved with reviewing and implementing the Master Plan. You can review Dover's Master Plan online.
Process
There are eight smaller steps that make up four major components of Master Plan development The first segment in preparing a plan is to determine the vision for the Community. We have accomplished this in the past through telephone and hand surveys, speak out sessions and focus groups.
The second component is to outline and evaluate different outcomes, whether they be land uses or infrastructure options. From there, you select a preferred alternative, and recommend that alternative within the MP.
The third component is the implementation of the plan. This can be changing regulations and guides, or performing infrastructure (capital) improvements.
The fourth step is the monitoring step. You need to evaluate the implementation and how it has impacted a community. This component flows back into the community visioning component as you move through the cycle.
The Chapters:
Land Use Analysis – 2007
The place we know as the City of Dover will become a different place in the course of our lifetimes. In some small way, it may even be different tomorrow. By evaluating the past and making recommendations toward the future, we can ensure that the community develops and grows in a managed and meaningful way. This plan is a statement of what the Dover community hopes to be, and how it might get there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recreation – 2009
Recreation is an integral component of a healthy, sustainable community and should receive commensurate investment. In Dover, it is believed that Recreation issues are complex and require high attention, wise decisions, sensible implementation, and collaboration among different city departments. The goals established in this document here are similar to those in the past (2000). The mission of Recreation in Dover may not change much with each Master Plan update, but the ways in which Dover accomplishes those goals may.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural and Historical Resources - 2000
Dover’s natural resources are a critical consideration in establishing a proper approach for land management. Understanding natural resource values provides a rational basis for determining which areas of the City are more appropriate for protection and open space and which areas are more suitable for development. Natural resources such as slope, soils, and vegetation, wildlife, and water resources add to Dover’s character, provide recreational opportunities and contribute to the quality of life for Dover residents. These natural resources also provide both opportunities and constraints for growth. Steep slopes and wetlands, for example, are less suitable for development, while better drained, flatter areas are more suitable. On the other hand, these well-drained areas may be associated with groundwater areas that require protection. Thus, the natural resource base of Dover provides an important factor as the basis for local land use decisions. The following is a description and analysis of Dover’s natural resource base.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Facilities and Utilities - 2009
The City of Dover and its employees are recognized as providing a high level of effective services. The Dover government is a large, complex organization delivering a wide and diverse range of services to the residents and businesses of the City. City business is conducted by the City Council managing about half of the budget and the School Board managing the rest with only bottom line funding approval by the Council. By definition it is a bureaucracy and, like most other bureaucracies, our City government and its activities has evolved over time to meet the new demands placed on it by growth. Sometimes that growth has been slow and steady and sometimes it has been very rapid such as we are currently facing as we enter the new millennium. In either case, attention has sometimes been focused on meeting the new needs rather than finding ways to deliver existing services in the most efficient way. The City and School budgets have been developed separately without first setting limits for combined growth and identifying areas of mutual need and possible joint efforts to hold costs down. This has resulted in adding new people, facilities, equipment, and activities at ever-increasing costs. Efforts at last minute budget cutting to hold cost down have sometimes been misdirected to things such as deferring necessary maintenance or new programs, which eventually resulted in higher costs. Dover needs to change that approach to managing its business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open Space - 2000
Dover has a long history of placing a priority on environmental protection and management. Open Space and Recreation Plans were developed in 1973, 1978, 1988 and the 1988 City-wide Master Plan contained a detailed chapter on the open space and recreation needs of Dover. This chapter serves as an update to the 1988 Master Plan and integrates the information and recommendations contained in previous plans with the most recent needs that have been identified in Dover.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation - 2000
This chapter of the City of Dover Master Plan is intended to set policies and goals while providing a comprehensive vision for transportation. Dover will invest in, maintain and properly manage or regulate a coordinated, safe, efficient, and effective transportation system that promotes the long-term goals of its citizens and businesses expressed in this Master Plan. The City acknowledges this system to consist of public and private infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, parking facilities, trails and transit centers as well as services such as transit, taxis, and traveler information resources. This system will enhance the quality of life for residents and the quality of experience for visitors and tourists while preserving the character and strategic advantages of the City for current and future generations.
Conclusion
Phew. As you can read, there is a lot involved with the Master Plan. We are constantly reviewing this living and dynamic document as we make budget and policy decisions. My hope is that you will see us update the Open Space and Natural Resources chapter over the coming months. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know.
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