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BISBEE — Starting today, Bisbee residents, particularly those in the San Jose District, will have the opportunity to state their opinions on future development in San Jose and how they would like to see the city grow.
Today through Saturday, the San Jose Planning Charrette, will be held at the former Bisbee Autoplex on Highway 92, will help form a foundation for growth in the area.
The charrette has been planned for some time and Community Development Director John Charley is anxious to get the results.
Charley said the National Charrette Institute describes a charrette as a collaborative planning process for a neighborhood, district, or community that combines creative, intense work sessions with public workshops and open houses.
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It harnesses the talents and energies of all interested parties to create and support a feasible plan that represents transformative community change. Professional planners and facilitators are the charrette team and will be on hand to transform public ideas into more tangible products which include images, maps, potential new code or planning overlays, and a sense of community or neighborhood values.
Bennie Scott, Bisbee city councilman, said at a recent council meeting, “I’m looking forward to the charrette. My feedback from people is that they’re excited also and want to be a part of the planning.”
“The success of the Old Bisbee Charrette was the deciding factor in using a similar model to gather public input into planning the future of the San Jose District,” Charley said. “We’ve pulled together a great team of facilitators and professionals and expanded the scope of this charrette to give stakeholders and the public more opportunity for participation.”
The team includes:
• Mark Apel who works for the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension as an area extension agent, where he is developing and implementing the Extension’s first outreach program in land use planning and sustainable development in Southeastern Arizona. Apel worked for Cochise County for 10 years in the planning department and left the county with the title of planning manager, having successfully facilitated the adoption of water conservation plans, ordinances and other planning tools.
• Maria Masque oversees the community and regional planning division of The Planning Center, a team of planners, urban designers, landscape architects and economists that deal with planning solutions addressing community growth and land development challenges. She has extensive comprehensive, general and master plan, redevelopment, revitalization and preservation experience.
• Rachel Goodrich, a project manager with The Planning Center, assists in developing comprehensive plans, housing studies, land use and zoning codes as well as area and neighborhood plans.
• Michael Dollin is an urban designer and an award-winning landscape architect. His work at the Phoenix Urban Research Lab includes pedestrian and streetscape studies for downtown Phoenix; planning and design charrettes and publications for many communities; and community outreach and research. He is currently an assistant clinical research professor in the College of Design.
• Marcy McInelly, an urban designer, enjoys the challenge of projects that have significant public involvement. She has significant experience managing and collaborating with teams of consultants.
• Michelle Marx is an urban planner/designer whose work has focused on creating pedestrian friendly, mixed-use, transit-oriented environments from the neighborhood to the regional level. Her recent professional experience includes work on neighborhood and downtown plans, streetscape plans, and design guidelines and form based codes.
• Paul David is a professional engineer who works for the Arizona Department of Transportation in Safford as a district development engineer. Some of his interests include affordable housing using alternative construction and earth-sheltered and hillside homes.
“We are very excited about the long-term impact this charrette will have on the future of the San Jose District and our community as a whole.” stated Charley. “We are looking forward to having a significant turnout of residents from the district and interested parties from across Bisbee come together. Their vision will be the foundation for San Jose’s future.”
Last month, the city offered through theater simple’s Park Bench an informal opportunity to offer ideas and visions for the future of San Jose. Park Bench found through a series of friendly interviews a glimpse of Bisbee that revealed a community that was more the same than different in spite of the separated district enclaves. Park Bench set up in the Safeway shopping center and asked Bisbee residents what they thought would be appropriate growth for the district. A podcast of the conversations with many Bisbee residents, including children, offered a glimpse into the character of the old mining town turned artists’ haven.
Many residents admitted they didn’t know much about San Jose, though.
As one might expect, the children wanted to a place to go to hang-out, more sports fields, a mall and a pool with a water slide.
Adults wanted to see responsible, green growth that can support itself. They want to see buildings and homes built with recycled materials that are energy efficient and use wind and solar. Many suggested a community center, a library branch, a book store, a pharmacy, more restaurants, a performing arts center, another grocery store, a movie theater, a bowling alley and a park that has barbecue grills, walking and biking trails. They, too, wanted to see more activities for children. Most liked the small-town atmosphere and the character of the town and wanted to preserve that aspect of Bisbee life.
Scott told the interviewer, “This area has been left alone for many years. No one has looked at this area, and it’s the only area that can grow. I do worry about having enough water, though.”
Scott added that he would like to see a park for the children and senior citizens, more retail shopping and another grocery store.
The charrette will cost the city $21,530, but only $15,000 was budgeted for the six-day event. Freeport McMoRan Inc. has provided a grant to help with the charrette, but Charley said additional funds are needed to support the effort.
Schedule of events
Today, 6 p.m. — The public can meet with the charrette team and talk about their vision for the district.
Tuesday, 5 p.m. — A work session is open to the public.
Wednesday, 6 p.m. — The team will share the early results of their efforts with the public, while more residents give their opinions of development.
Thursday, 5 p.m. — Open production session.
Friday, 3 to 9 p.m. — Open house for team members to share their draft products with the public and take additional comments.
Saturday, 1 p.m. — The last public meeting will be held and team members will offer their design ideas for public review.
Any person or organization that is interested in sponsoring the charrette is encouraged to contact Charley at 432-6269 or by e-mail at jcharley@cityofbisbee.com.
To listen to theater simple’s Park Bench podcast, go to gcast.com/user/theater_simple/podcast/main. The recording should start immediately.
Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
frank r wrote on May 5, 2008 8:30 PM: