"Going Places Initiatives Presentation" By Martin Kim
Presented by: Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission

This presentation was about a Land Use Planning Initiative where it looks at land use in a regional sense. The Going Places Initiative is a 4-year region-based land use planning initiative designed to bring people living and working in the region together to build a clear and shared future land use framework that will guide us to make this Region a better place to live, work and play.

There are three phases to this which include assessing existing conditions, exploring future landscapes, and building a clean and shared regional growth framework. Phase I of this has been completed and the results from that are that land development is not tied to population change, the region contains varying degrees of potential for future land development and has enough land to accommodate future development.

The next step is Phase II and there are 17 workshops planned for the area over the next few months. These workshops are for citizens to share their thoughts on the direction that they envision the region going regarding use of land.

Discussion

Commission Martin asked if the studies looked at unused industrial land. Mr. Kim's answer was that yes, their solution would be to use/reuse that land but are not there yet in terms of what using vacant sites (thru revitalization) could do in terms of saving land from new development.

Commission Fess asked, "Do you see your plan limiting the local efforts for Economic Development?" Mr. Kim answered, "No, members of the MVRP Board must first approve a plan derived from the land use study. We don't know what that plan is, there are many possibilities. Commission Fess asked, "Will money be used for areas where possibilities are split among communities or will one be shut out?" Mr. Kim answered, "Public input is critical and very important."

Commissioner Fess asked, "If E.D. brings in a company requesting some method of MVRP support what would you do?" Mr. Kim answered that he cannot answer that now as he doesn't know what directives their board will take that effect local initiative. MVRPC must look at technical and analytical issues and be a balancing act between local and regional.

Commissioner Vogt and Fess expressed concerns with whether what we are trying to do locally would be undermined by the study and subsequent support of the MVRP board. Commission Fess stated that she doesn't mind sharing with the regions resources however; her first priority will be the Piqua area.

Commissioner Vogt stated that Piqua is between two County seats meaning businesses may go first to the county seats and that Piqua would just like to get some of the future growth. Mr. Kim answered, "Suppose in 5 years from now the initiative would be doing tax sharing, would progress matter?" Commissioner Martin answered, "Yes, it does matter, Piqua wants to have employers here to support local people living and working here.

Mr. Kim stated that we are a very mobile community where we live, work, and play in the region not just your home location. Commissioner Fess stated that there are concerns that Going Places may limit what we can/cannot do. We would want to make sure this would not limit us. Mayor Hudson stated that it is a given that Piqua comes First and the region would come second but there must be checks and balances for each other.

Mr. Kim stated that most businesses do not use MVRP but rather used the local E. D. such as Grow Piqua Now, as the resource for local Economic Development. Chris Schmiesing stated that what MVRPC is doing in "Going Places," would not supersede the local efforts regarding land use, economic development, etc.

Commissioner Terry asked, "Why is our Commission endorsement needed? Mr. Kim answered, "MVRP has a vision but request local support of the study of a possible regional plan. We are seeking what is a regional plan that would better the area, promoting what the region has to offer and why this is a good area to live, work, and play."

Commission agreed to further review Phase I of the study and take the request for approval of the study in to consideration for approval in the future.

Adjourn

Moved by Commission Martin and seconded by Commissioner Fess, to adjourn from the Piqua City Work Session at 7:30 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.