Whidbey News Times Article

The April 9 edition of the Whidbey News Times (front page) has published an article about the use of blogs for various projects at the City http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=84&cat=23&id=1190746&more=0.

Fellow Senior Planner, Cac Kamak was quoted in the article discussing this new use of blogs for City projects: “It’s like a virtual, on-demand City Hall. People can chime in at anytime and have their issues addressed”. This is evident in the fact that to date this blog has received over 150 unique visitors, with over half returning repeatedly to gather more information about this project.

You can now participate in conversations and meetings without being in the same place, or at the same time together, by coming to the blog when it's convenient. As more of you participate in the process the more complex, interconnected, and holistic the "solutions" can become. This way you can have a direct impact on your community.

When visiting also remember to check out the archive section for past posts!

Video Report - Parks Board March 10

The next video report will be posted this evening and outlines the Park Board meeting held March 10.

The discussion focused on pedestrian/bicycle connections and trails within our neighborhoods. The Chair of the Board also suggested that the City use the local radio station to get the word out on this project. That idea is being added to out "to do" flip chart. Feel free to leave comments about the content of the video under this posting.

The park board also discussed the current Comprehensive Park Plan update (see blog at www.cohparkplan08.blogspot.com). The issues of interconnectedness of neighborhoods and trials throughout the community were also part of that discussion. One aspect of how both projects are interrelated was the conversations about pedestrian/bicycle connections in neighborhoods and how that impacts park use and access to parks and open space. I will be explaining this more extensively at the Planning Commission meeting on April 22.

Planning Commission Meeting April 22

The Planning Commission meeting on April 22 is designed to provide staff and the Commission with an opportunity to discuss, and provide direction on two aspects of this project, specifically:

A. an outline of the analysis I have completed on past subdivisions, and how their characteristics influence the livability of our neighborhoods; and,

B. an introduction of issues associated with short plat requirements and how they impact opportunities for infill development.