Introduction & Kickoff

Watch the videos to be informed and educated on the process and the Vision and Guiding Principles. A discussion and input session was held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM in the Capitol Arts Building. A content summary and recording of the meeting is below.

Part 1 of Session 1
This is an introduction and kickoff outlining the process for the 2022 update cycle, an overview of the resources available online, how to sign up for updates, and how to provide input. This video will also give a general overview of the intent and major themes of the Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan as narrated in the 2012 video found in the resources section of this page. Staff will also touch on the differences between the comprehensive plan versus the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. Further information can be found in the People’s Guide and Planning Commission Handbook also found below.
Part 2 of Session 1
Part 2 is a review of the Vision, Guiding Principles, Goals and Objectives. It also includes a review of action items found within the implementation chapter and comments on progress for each. Goals, Objectives and Action Items will also be discussed in more depth during each element session. The big question posed for this session is whether or not the big picture vision needs to be addressed and to have an understanding of the vision as we move into specific discussion for each element of the plan.
Discussion Panel Participants

Invited

Elected Officials (State, Warren County, Bowling Green, Oakland, Plum Springs, Smiths Grove, Woodburn)

Planning Commissioners

Panel Questions

Are we achieving the vision for the community set out in the Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan?

Is there a topic or issue that the vision does not capture or that we have not emphasized enough?

Do you see a priority or action item that we need to have a better focus on?

What things have this community done well that supports the vision?

What subject or issue would you like to see addressed as we move forward with this process?

Session 1 Recording

This is a recording of the Session 1 in-person meeting held on November 10, 2021 at the Capitol Arts Center. It contains a brief review of the above videos, comments received relating to the above questions, and other general comments.

 

Sorry for the low production quality. We will work on improving lighting and audio.

Questions & Answers / Comments

What are we doing well as a community?

Greenways expansions

Economic Development

Industrial Diversity

Broadband Fiber Expansion

What can we improve upon as a community?

Fiber internet (especially for Bowling Green residents)

Public Transit (especially to major employment centers)

Amenities & Attractions

Attraction & Retention of younger generations

Infill of housing closer to Bowling Green – limit sprawl

Protecting farmland and rural areas

Have more community input

Better collaboration with school systems

Increased property ownership

Protection of existing neighborhoods

More equal balance of growth outside of Greenwood & South Warren School Districts

Stormwater – especially with climate change and more intense storms

Greenspace / Recreational space and not just sports facilities

Tree retention – clear-cutting for new developments

Urban pocket parks and street trees

Transportation – traffic and congestion

Disconnect between vision and planning & zoning decisions

Pertaining to land use/quality of life and vision

  1. What is the primary visual and physical difference between slum style and no slum style areas of a city?  Anywhere? The answer is Greenspace.
  1. Addressing upkeep on open green space suggestions.

Make a list of desired number of trees, open grass, garden area, walking and running space, per number of housing units to be put on any developed area whether business or living space.  Be specific. Be measurable. Have accountability.

Make the developers and buyers accountable for the said open green space.  Have clear guidelines for development and maintenance.  Educate as to benefits of trees and public wild areas – mostly health related – for developers and residents.  Healthy developments make for a healthy city.

Plan for “wild” areas, meadows, butterfly habitat, small forests where there are wetlands or small streams and write these into every development plan presented.

Every development plan should have a green space maintenance fund – administered by an independant entity responsible to the Planning/City commissions.  The fund should be maintained by fees collected from the developers for the privilege of development, and by the residents for the privilege of living on that land.

  1. Never allow a development such as The Hub on Lover’s lane to be developed without [the developer financially participating in creating] said green spaces as cited above, a fire station to service it, shaded sidewalks, community owned clean energy and some kind of convenient, accessible public transportation. (busses, ride sharing etc)

Eleanor Bower

Response: Thank you for your comments and input. The sessions on the Cultural & Natural Resources and Future Land Use will be most related to these specific concerns.

Hi there!

Where are historic homes and established neighborhoods in terms of priority within the comprehensive plan? I heard parts about protecting beauty and charm, but it seems newer and bigger has led to loss of older properties, some even on the national historic register.

Thanks, Margaret Stein

Response: There are several Goals, Objectives, or Action Items pertaining to historic preservation in the Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan found in the Housing and Neighborhoods and Cultural & Natural Resources elements. These are presented along with all other Goals, Objectives, or Action Items in redevelopment proposals equally. Each decision maker (planning commissioner and/or elected official) then makes a decision based what they feel they have been elected or appointed to do. Thank you for your comments on this topic. This can be further addressed in the sessions for Housing and Neighborhoods and Cultural & Natural Resources.