|
Comprehensive
Plan
The Code
by Keith Holdsworth
[Principal
Planner, Comprehensive Plan, City of Indianapolis]
At all of the Indianapolis Insight
Comprehensive Planning meetings a Code of Conduct is posted. The purpose
of the Code of Conduct is to remind all of us in attendance that we can be
more productive in a civil meeting than in a rancorous meeting.
On several occasions people have
asked me for a copy of this code so that they can take it back to their
neighborhood associations in hopes of running more productive meetings.
The Code follows so that anyone can
use it as they wish.
Think Comprehensively.
These are our backyards we’re talking about, but we all must think
beyond our backyard to what is good for the entire neighborhood, the
community and township, and Indianapolis as a whole and beyond that to
the region, nation and globe. We’ll all part of a vast interconnected
web.
Respect each
person. Your mother taught you this. No name-calling. No accusing
others without proof.
Share responsibility.
Don’t sit there like a lump; join in the discussion. This works the
other way too. Don’t hog the spotlight; let others speak.
Criticize only ideas, not people.
If we are to develop ideas into a successful plan, participants must
feel free to mold and add onto the suggestions of others. Don’t take
criticism personally; don’t give criticism personally.
Keep an open mind. Enough
said.
Question and participate.
Again, if we are to develop ideas into successful projects and programs,
suggestions should be examined fully. Don’t afraid to ask questions or
make suggestions. If we all follow this code, your ideas will be
respected.
Attend meetings regularly.
Continuity is important in getting things done.
Listen constructively.
Try to really hear what the other person is saying. We all have much to
learn from each other.
The Comprehensive Planning staff has
expanded the “Think Comprehensively” portion of the Code to include
thefollowing items.
Consider access among housing,
shopping, jobs, school and parks. Having
only one way to get from one place to another can be inconvenient; it
can also be dangerous in the case of an emergency. Also, by providing
opportunities for air quality-friendly transportation such as walking or
bicycling, we make this a healthier community.
Include a mix of housing types and
densities. People have different housing
needs in different phases of their life. They shouldn’t have to move
away from a community that they love just because there are no housing
options for them.
Consider environmental factors.
Consider regional transportation,
infrastructure and recreation needs.
Consider the existing and proposed
land uses of surrounding areas.
Consider the future implications
of the land use recommendations. We must
be careful with the choices we make today so that future generations are
not compromised in their ability to meet their needs.
Be realistic. Consider markets,
differing lifestyles and human nature. A
household with the income to afford the most valuable housing is
probably not going to build it at the corner of Busy Street and Busier
Avenue, also they are unlikely to want to build in an area with few
amenities.
Upcoming Comprehensive Land Use
Planning meetings are:
Tuesday, February 10
Franklin Township Planning Area
Arlington Elementary School
5814 S. Arlington Avenue
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Decatur Township Planning Area
Decatur Township High School cafeteria
5251 Kentucky Avenue
Tuesday, March 2
Franklin Township Planning Area
E. B. Carver Education & Technology Center
6141 S. Franklin Road
All meetings begin at 7 p.m.
For
more information or to be placed on the Indianapolis Insight mailing list,
call 327-5155 or visit our website at .
www.indygov.org/indianapolisinsight
send comments
to webmaster@mcanaindy.org
©copyright 2004, all rights reserved, McANA, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
|
2004
