Public Participation Plan

CITY OF BUCHANAN

Public Participation Plan

2023-2024

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Participation Goals and Objectives

• Solicit public participation in each phase of the master planning process.
• Seek involvement from a diverse range of community representatives.
• Utilize effective and equitable avenues for distributing information and receiving comments.
• Develop staff expertise in all aspects of participation.
• Support and encourage continuous improvement in the methods used to meet the public need for information and involvement.
• Record results of public engagements and recount these results back to the public.

State Regulations

Along with the desire to include a diversified public in its planning process, the municipality relies on state statutes to help guide its participation activities.

1. 1. Michigan Open Meetings Act
   2. Michigan Planning Enabling Act

Key Stakeholders

• I. Community Partners

Regional Stakeholders

            Local Chambers of Commerce

                        Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce

                        Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce

                        Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce

                        Southwestern Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce

Tourist Centers         

Southwest Michigan Tourism Industry

West Michigan Tourist Association

                        Regional Employment and Housing Agencies

                        Neighboring Municipalities

                        Media Outlets

                                    WBEZ

                                    Niles Daily Star

                                    Buchanan Chronicle

                                    WNDU

                                    Chicago Tribune

                                    South Bend GTV

                                    Herald Palladium

                                    WSBT

                                    News57

                                    WSJM

Local Stakeholders   

            Local Businesses/Organizations

            Community Leaders

            Schools

            Buchanan Development Organization

            Local Brokers/Real Estate Professional

            Neighborhood Groups

            Public Employees

            Religious Groups

            Senior Groups

            Social Organizations

            Students

Potential Investors

Young Professionals

Communication Tool Box

• Public Meetings
  • Website Posting
  • Flier Posting at City Hall
  • Newspaper Articles
  • Facebook Announcement for Special Meetings
  • Announcement at Council Meetings
  • Channel 17 Broadcasting

• Proactive Practices
  • Surveys
    • Survey for Master Plan - 2021
    • Riverfront Upgrades Survey - 2023
  • Community Workshops
    • Vision for Buchanan Workshops - 2021
    • Downtown Reconstruction Workshop - 2022
  • Charrettes
    • Design Feedback on Downtown Reconstruction - 2022-2023
  • Walkabouts
    • Design Feedback on Downtown Reconstruction - 2022-2023
  • Focus Groups
    • Buchanan St. Joseph River Master Plan Steering Committee
    • Thrill on the Hill Committee
    • Victory Park Neighborhood Committee
  • Standing Committees
    • Board of Review
    • Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
    • Buchanan Area Fine Arts Council
    • Buchanan Farmers’ Market Board
    • Buchanan Tree Friends
    • Common Committee
    • Construction Board of Appeals
    • Design Review Committee
    • District Library Board
    • Friends of McCoy Creek Trail
    • Friends of Oakridge Cemetery
    • Joint Water-Sewer Board
    • OneBuchanan
    • Planning Commission
    • Watershed Quality Support Board
    • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Social Networking

Strategies for Outreach

• Master Plan Update (2021)
• A Vision for Buchanan
• Zoning Ordinance Update (In Progress with Placemakers)
• Parks and Recreation Plan (2022-2026)
• Riverfront Improvement Master Plan
• Downtown Redevelopment
• Low Controversy Development Projects
  • Riverfront Upgrades
  • McCoy Creek Trail Extension
  • Victory Park
• High Controversy Development Projects
  • Downtown Redesign Project
  • City-Owned Properties - Development

Communicating Results

• • Public Meetings
  • Live Broadcast
  • Recording Hosted on Website and YouTube
  • Minutes Posted on Website
  • Social Media Posts When Relevant
  • Surveys
  • Social Media Posts When Relevant
  • Integrated into Planning Documents
  • Shared at Public Meetings When Relevant
  • Community Workshops/Charrettes
  • Social Media Posts When Relevant
  • Integrated into Planning Documents
  • Shared at Public Meetings When Relevant
  • Focus Groups
  • Integrated into Planning Strategy
  • Standing Committees
  • Minutes Posted on Website
  • Social Networking
  • Responsive Marketing Team
  • Daily Sharing of Relevant Information

Evaluating Success of Communication Efforts

Survey - Internal & External Evaluation Tools

• Community Development Team
  • Creates, Implements, Documents, Reports, and Analyzes Public Participation on Development Efforts
• Clerk
  • Documents Public Meeting Minutes, Posts Agendas and Minutes on Website, Posts Meeting Information on City Hall Door
• Community Development and Marketing Team
  • Manage Social Media Content
  • Meeting Broadcasting