ASPIRE Achieving Site Plan Innovation in Review Elements Julia Billings - Talar Hovnanian - Tania Mahtani - Janell O’Keefe - Logan Sheehan
Feb 23, 2016
ASPIREAchieving Site Plan Innovation in Review
Elements
Julia Billings - Talar Hovnanian - Tania Mahtani - Janell O’Keefe - Logan Sheehan
Retool, Repackage, Revive SPARC• Assessment• Best-Practices Manual• Implementation
Program Vision
ASPIRE aims to help all communities to achieve efficient and effective site plan
review processes for their desired levels of development.
Site Plan Review Best Practices
• Site Plan Review Procedures• Accessibility of Information• Clarity of Information• County Support for Municipalities
Site Plan Review Best Practices
Site Plan Review Process
• Petitioner Engagement• Pre-application Meeting• Administrative Process• Time Frame
Site Plan Review Process
Source: City of Sterling Heights. (2010). A Guide to the Sterling Heights Site Plan Review Process
Accessibility of Information
Accessibility of Information• Designated Contact Person• Requirements Checklist• Location of Information• Access to Zoning Map and Master Plan• Up to Date Process
Accessibility of Information• Designated Contact Person• Requirements Checklist• Location of Information• Access to Zoning Map and Master Plan• Up to Date Process
Clarity of Information
Clarity of Information• Informational Documentation• Glossary of Planning Language• Precise Language
Source: New York City Department of City Planning. (2011). Zoning handbook 2011 edition. New York City: New York City Department of City Planning.
Clarity of Information• Informational Documentation• Glossary of Planning Language• Precise Language
Precise LanguageVague
“The plan for the proposedbuilding structure is in conformity with good tasteand design and in generalcontributes to the image of thetown as a place of beauty.”
Precise"The proposed building andlandscape plans are consistentwith the catalogue examples ofacceptable styles, elements,materials, massing, detailing,landscaping, and relationships tostreet frontages and abuttingproperties and does not includethe unacceptable examples in thecatalogue."
Source: American Planning Association
Recommendations for the County
Recommendations for the County• Encourage petitioner contact/engagement• County website– Access to contact info– Access to zoning codes & master plans
• GIS• Assessment & Implementation
Recommendations for the County• Encourage petitioner contact/engagement• County website– Access to contact info– Access to zoning codes & master plans
• GIS• Assessment & Implementation
Implementation Options• Distribute Manual• Educational Program• Certification Program
County Wide Educational Program• Puts the manual into context• Run by County Staff• Workshops can cover best practices in context
of each municipality
• Accessible• Interactive• Knowledge of Participants• Municipal Autonomy• Feedback• Tracking Progress
Educational Workshop
Certification Program for Municipality
• Municipality Specific Assessment of Process• Training on Best Practices• Checklist of Best Practices Recommendations
Certification• Accountability• Structured Knowledge Base• Feedback• Biggest Potential for Change
Thank you!