Administrative BriefCITY COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
November 1, 2012
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM GARY HOBBIE
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
On October 25 and 26 several members from the North
Salina Development Committee spearheaded a public forum
to flesh out ideas for invigorating the north Salina community
into viable live, work and play areas. Mr. Jon Blanchard led
the workshop on Thursday evening, which was attended by
27 people from the community.
He began by reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Communities Grant
outcomes from the fall 2011 public meetings. Jon outlined the three areas of the community specifically
discussed and highlighted strategic ideas from those meetings in his presentation. Jon also discussed
the City’s Comprehensive Plan and showed maps of present day Neighborhood Revitalization Area and
the Special Redevelopment Area and explained benefits of each. Multiple questions were asked
including concerns of how rental properties could be placed back into the hands of homeownership, how
properties could be rehabilitated, and how the gateways into the community should be addressed. Jon
explained the process for Friday’s public meeting and took time to explain his conceptual ideas of land
use and design for neighborhoods and commercial property locations north of the railroad tracks.
Nearly two dozen people came throughout the day on Friday
as presentations were made. A good representation of city
staff, present and former planning commission members
and citizens who worked on fine tuning a concept plan for
redevelopment in the northern Salina area. The first
assignment was to grade hundreds of pictures of residential
properties, commercial store fronts, open green spaces and
industrial sites. Each participant indicated first impressions
of likes and dislikes by marking the picture with a star
indicating they approved of the picture, or through a yellow
dot if they liked some items in the picture and wanted to discuss it with the group or a red dot if you
disliked the picture.
Later in the afternoon, similar (ungraded) pictures were located at
various points throughout the north Salina area, indicating ideas of
where best those pictures would be considered to be incorporated.
The final map was built with the three most desired improvements to
the north Salina area. A composite of pictures and maps will follow
once prepared and readied for presentations throughout the
community. City staff is scanning the maps and at a later date Jon
will be presenting the outcomes to the commission during a study
session. Friday’s session ended with a public viewing of the proposed maps designed by Jon which
included the outcomes of the three groups of proposed redevelopment ideas in picture form.
MONDAY’S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend the
meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage, City Manager