...and they like what they see.
That was my impression from last night's Town Supper at the Old Schoolhouse BBQ. I met people who lived in Scranton their whole life, others that just moved into town and others that have moved there from Florence after inheriting a 100-year-old house.
This mix of ages, backgrounds, races and genders came together for a night to see Senator Leatherman offer a $20,000 check for the Town Hall in addition to a fill-your-belly meal from the Old Schoolhouse. I don't know if they knew I was going to be there...
There were three large format maps along with a handful of smaller ones to distribute to the crowd of 150 people. I shared the County's draft of the future land use for Scranton.
Scranton is a great little town. Most of the Future Land use map reflects current uses except for some areas designated as suburban development - these areas could include a variety of uses such as small business and variable residential. These suburban development areas are adjacent to commercial areas, making a sort of 'X' with its center at the middle of town.
See Scranton's Future Land Use map here.
Some of the feedback I received from residents include a desire for a community center where children and retired residents can go and play games and join activities after school and during the day. Other residents want a local grocer to locate in town. Luckily, the Future Land Use as drafted would allow for both of these uses along 52 or Main Street.
My only regret of the evening was not getting to talk with a group of high school students (no doubt attracted by the free food) about what they wanted in Scranton and where they liked to hang out. After all, it's their age group that this plan will really apply to.
Next stop - a high school government class near you.
Tuesday, October 7
Friday, October 3
Participate In Future Planning
Future planning requires participation from all levels of society as well as representation from all areas. It takes both to achieve the solutions and goals that satisfy the vast majority of the people.
There was a good article in the American Association Planning magazine this month regarding infrastructure needs. Ohio's Congressman Blumenauer is proposing a bipartisan federal infrastructure commission that would hold hearings in all 50 states. The commission would discuss our national infrastructure and investment needs for the next century and report back to Congress with documentation based on existing research.
"We have crumbling bridges and water systems that are actually in worse shape than the surface transportation system," Blumenuar says. "We have capacity issues for freight movement and for our passenger rail service, and aviation is a nightmare. And the economic model, which has been tenuous at best, doesn't work anymore in an era of $130 a barrel oil."
There is a need for new technologies to reduce harmful greenhouse-gas emissions, new power distribution systems and renewable energy sources. Water and transportation are key componets of the infrastructure plan.
Blumenauer says there may be a national infrastructure summit in the fall before the November elections. Presidential candidates and other congressional leadership would be invited. He seems to think that there is keen interest in this summit. I'm curious as to whom will attend!
Meanwhile, Florence County Planning is on board researching ways to improve air quality in order to meet the attainment requirement. Some of the focus is on hybrid vehicles, diesel conversion, anti-idling, green power, tree preservation, and burn control.
We are also making progress with Future Land Use and the Community Facilities Element which details much of Florence County's infrastructure in regards to water, sewer, and storm water management. We will also be writing Transportation and Priority Investment Elements for the Comprehensive Plan.
Hopefully through hard work and public awareness, we can make a difference. We may not be attending the summit but we will be on the train!
There was a good article in the American Association Planning magazine this month regarding infrastructure needs. Ohio's Congressman Blumenauer is proposing a bipartisan federal infrastructure commission that would hold hearings in all 50 states. The commission would discuss our national infrastructure and investment needs for the next century and report back to Congress with documentation based on existing research.
"We have crumbling bridges and water systems that are actually in worse shape than the surface transportation system," Blumenuar says. "We have capacity issues for freight movement and for our passenger rail service, and aviation is a nightmare. And the economic model, which has been tenuous at best, doesn't work anymore in an era of $130 a barrel oil."
There is a need for new technologies to reduce harmful greenhouse-gas emissions, new power distribution systems and renewable energy sources. Water and transportation are key componets of the infrastructure plan.
Blumenauer says there may be a national infrastructure summit in the fall before the November elections. Presidential candidates and other congressional leadership would be invited. He seems to think that there is keen interest in this summit. I'm curious as to whom will attend!
Meanwhile, Florence County Planning is on board researching ways to improve air quality in order to meet the attainment requirement. Some of the focus is on hybrid vehicles, diesel conversion, anti-idling, green power, tree preservation, and burn control.
We are also making progress with Future Land Use and the Community Facilities Element which details much of Florence County's infrastructure in regards to water, sewer, and storm water management. We will also be writing Transportation and Priority Investment Elements for the Comprehensive Plan.
Hopefully through hard work and public awareness, we can make a difference. We may not be attending the summit but we will be on the train!
the BIG day!
Today's FLATS Study Team meeting will hopefully result with a recommendation for a consultant to help us with our long-range transportation plan.
It's time for Florence residents to call our streets their own! Join us over the next many months as we put together our future in urban transportation.
Traffic circle at 5-(6-)points, anyone?
It's time for Florence residents to call our streets their own! Join us over the next many months as we put together our future in urban transportation.
Traffic circle at 5-(6-)points, anyone?
Thursday, October 2
October 2nd - A perfect nine!
There are many things to celebrate this October.
What could have been a trick on Florence residents turned into a minor treat. Ozone season has officially ended. What's better news: we continue to meet the EPA air quality standards.
But the air quality challenge continues. We got a break in 2006 with a low (good) ozone reading which is keeping us in attainment. However, that number will be cycled out of the average in 2009 - leaving Florence County in a vulnerable position for meeting the standard.
We need another low ozone year - and Florence County is ready to make it happen.
At the last County Council meeting (Sept. 18th), the Planning Dept. presented the status of the County's air quality along with some options to improve it. ...and I think they liked it. So much, that they are looking forward to being the regional example working to keep our air clean.
Also this month... South Carolina Planning Association will be meeting in Pawley's Island in the middle of the month, FLATS Study team will be meeting this Friday to discuss the long-range plan consultants and two arborist conferences (Charleston and Greenville) will be towards the end of the month. Like I blogged before, October is busy!
Oh yeah, and the commuter continuum score today was a perfect nine! I rode the bike in, what did you decide to commute with?
What could have been a trick on Florence residents turned into a minor treat. Ozone season has officially ended. What's better news: we continue to meet the EPA air quality standards.
But the air quality challenge continues. We got a break in 2006 with a low (good) ozone reading which is keeping us in attainment. However, that number will be cycled out of the average in 2009 - leaving Florence County in a vulnerable position for meeting the standard.
We need another low ozone year - and Florence County is ready to make it happen.
At the last County Council meeting (Sept. 18th), the Planning Dept. presented the status of the County's air quality along with some options to improve it. ...and I think they liked it. So much, that they are looking forward to being the regional example working to keep our air clean.
Also this month... South Carolina Planning Association will be meeting in Pawley's Island in the middle of the month, FLATS Study team will be meeting this Friday to discuss the long-range plan consultants and two arborist conferences (Charleston and Greenville) will be towards the end of the month. Like I blogged before, October is busy!
Oh yeah, and the commuter continuum score today was a perfect nine! I rode the bike in, what did you decide to commute with?
Tuesday, September 23
Planning Department On Board For The Pee Dee Heart Walk
Each year, The Florence County Planning and Building Department in addition to many other businesses in Florence County, joins forces with The American Heart Association to help them raise money for this worthy cause. To date, we have raised over $400. We have until October 17th to increase this amount. Our department has many caring individuals who have contributed both their time and money.
The 2008 Pee Dee Heart Walk is presented by McLeod Health and Honda of SC Mfg., Inc. It will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 10 a.m. The walk is a non-competitive, one or three mile route on the campus of beautiful Francis Marion University, in the heart of the Pee Dee. Parking is free and the activities at the event include a children's area, clown, jump castle, refreshments, health screenings, survivor recognition, singing competition, hoopla giveaways, music and entertainment and more.
Our event is the largest walk in the region. We have a history of leading the state and setting records. We are recognized at a national level as being the benchmark walk event for markets of our size! We have grown from raising $10,000 to $384,000. Participants on the day of the event have increased from a handful to over 2,200.
Our event accomplishes four important goals:
The 2008 Pee Dee Heart Walk is presented by McLeod Health and Honda of SC Mfg., Inc. It will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 10 a.m. The walk is a non-competitive, one or three mile route on the campus of beautiful Francis Marion University, in the heart of the Pee Dee. Parking is free and the activities at the event include a children's area, clown, jump castle, refreshments, health screenings, survivor recognition, singing competition, hoopla giveaways, music and entertainment and more.
Our event is the largest walk in the region. We have a history of leading the state and setting records. We are recognized at a national level as being the benchmark walk event for markets of our size! We have grown from raising $10,000 to $384,000. Participants on the day of the event have increased from a handful to over 2,200.
Our event accomplishes four important goals:
- Celebrate survivors of heart disease and stroke
- Encourage walking and physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle
- Educate the public about the prevention & treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Raise money for biomedical reserach, education and outreach programs
For more information, visit their website.
A worthy cause and a fun day! Hope you can be there.
This is my very first blog. How did I do?
Monday, September 22
Quick note...
I am reading commentary on the US DOT Transportation Policy Proposal and wanted to share a quote from the intro...
"Policies targeted only towards relieving congestion and increasing mobility do not offer a comprehensive response to the complicated economic and transportation challenges many metropolitan areas currently face."
This is what we hope to be doing for the urban Florence (FLATS) area.
Want to read too? The commentary is found here.
"Policies targeted only towards relieving congestion and increasing mobility do not offer a comprehensive response to the complicated economic and transportation challenges many metropolitan areas currently face."
This is what we hope to be doing for the urban Florence (FLATS) area.
Want to read too? The commentary is found here.
Planning This Week | September 22, 2008
FLATS - Transportation issues are taking center stage this week. The Florence Area Transportation Study (FLATS, yes, I know you already know that acronym) will be finalizing our recommendation for a contractor to help with the long-range transportation plan and transportation element of the County's comprehensive plan. Three submittals have been reviewed and the final tallies will be completed today.
The next stops: Study Team (a technical group) meeting next month to get the okay to recommend a contractor to the Policy Committee (decision-making body) - also to be scheduled for next month.
October will be busy for transportation planners!
Comprehensive Plan - We are heading to Scranton this Wednesday to discuss our drafted future land use plan with the Town's administration. We should also be able to get a public hearing date to show the plan off to the public.
The Community Facilities element continues to take shape and should be ready as a workshop for the Planning Commission (yes, you guessed it!) next month!
October may be busy for long-range planners!
Air Quality - So many things happening on this front... unfortunately, two meetings have already occurred: The Water and Energy Stakeholder's meeting at Francis Marion University held last Tuesday night and the County Council meeting last Thursday where County Planning presented the status of our air quality.
The Water and Energy meeting was fantastic. The goal was to act as a public forum for a State Senate subcommittee whom are seeking comments about water and energy programs... and they got a lot of comments!
The County Council presentation resulted in the Council requesting a list of potential programs that will be result in cleaner air. So far, this year, we are in attainment - but the next two years will be tough! Send me your ideas to be incorporated into the list to the County Council.
October busy for air quality planners? - oh yeah!
The next stops: Study Team (a technical group) meeting next month to get the okay to recommend a contractor to the Policy Committee (decision-making body) - also to be scheduled for next month.
October will be busy for transportation planners!
Comprehensive Plan - We are heading to Scranton this Wednesday to discuss our drafted future land use plan with the Town's administration. We should also be able to get a public hearing date to show the plan off to the public.
The Community Facilities element continues to take shape and should be ready as a workshop for the Planning Commission (yes, you guessed it!) next month!
October may be busy for long-range planners!
Air Quality - So many things happening on this front... unfortunately, two meetings have already occurred: The Water and Energy Stakeholder's meeting at Francis Marion University held last Tuesday night and the County Council meeting last Thursday where County Planning presented the status of our air quality.
The Water and Energy meeting was fantastic. The goal was to act as a public forum for a State Senate subcommittee whom are seeking comments about water and energy programs... and they got a lot of comments!
The County Council presentation resulted in the Council requesting a list of potential programs that will be result in cleaner air. So far, this year, we are in attainment - but the next two years will be tough! Send me your ideas to be incorporated into the list to the County Council.
October busy for air quality planners? - oh yeah!
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