Presentation to Support CommitteeMay 21, 2008

Pointe Coupee ParishComprehensive PlanCivic Leader Research Findings

Agenda

Logo discussion Summary of Stakeholder Interviews Guiding Principle work session

(Hands on work session to prioritize key citizen values)

Review and correct base map Discussion, Questions & Comments

21 discussion groups and calls32 participants

Discussions – April and May 2008

What do you like the most about living in the parish? Rural ambiance; small town; simple life

Cozy, laid back feel

The people

The water – rivers and lakes

Sense of community

Have lived here all my life and can’t imagine living elsewhere

Love the land – open spaces here

Feel safe

… We have a beautiful parish – rich in soil and a lot of love… we need to try to preserve it

What do you like the least?

Education system

State and parish roads

Littering

Resistance to change

Territorial attitude

Biggest threat to quality of life? Education system Drugs Change without direction Uncontrolled growth, loss of rural ambiance No skilled workforce No jobs to keep young people in parish Financial instability Infrastructure needs, especially sewage

treatment Rules are not enforced

Biggest hopes for parish planning process?

Cohesive plan that is fair to all Job opportunities for people in the parish Plan that encourages proper development

& maintains character People come together to get this plan done Protect natural beauty and agricultural uses Make decisions that result in the most good

for most people Provide affordable housing Need to come together in the middle and

compromise and find out where need to be

Come up with a plan for smart growth, a plan that is safe – that our people may grow old with – safe environment, healthy environment, take care of children, health needs, get young people back here for economic development and growth and plan for future

Plan that is usable and practical - don’t want something so far out there that it is not usable – people want things to remain as is

Biggest hopes for parish planning process?

That the residents both native and non native see the potential for growth. And that we see with planned growth we can preserve the quality of life that we hold so dear

Growth is going to happen whether we want it or not, but citizens should have a part in shaping the growth and not let it hit us over the head, unprepared

Biggest hopes for parish planning process?

What will make the plan most successful?

Involving all the people; having good public input

Address the needs of all the people in the parish

For people to realize this is a plan for the future and is not something that is being forced on us – and that plans change, grow, and get molded along the way

Biggest obstacle for the plan to be successful?

Not getting community buy-in

Short sightedness - failure to follow through

Focus on individual interests rather than the betterment of entire parish

People not coming together – continue fighting with each other

Everyone won’t agree with plan – can’t make everyone happy

Selfishness

Priority focus areas

Rural ambiance; small town character

Jobs

Retain agricultural lifestyle

Bridge impacts

Sewage issues

Most significant or important issue facing the parish today? Education Properly regulated growth All residents having opportunities for jobs New industry to provide jobs How to grow while preserving our good things

about quality of life Bridge Growth – having good growth Be prepared and have plans for changes that

are coming Services needed for low income population Flooding

Best economic asset to build on?

Agriculture

Location

Land

Mississippi River and False River

What kind of growth?

Growth in existing towns and communities Maintain rural ambiance Industrial Services and retail

Where do you want the growth?

Primarily around existing towns and villages

Around Audubon bridge

A few say all over

Along state highways

Changes: The new bridge

Positive, encourage growth and provide better access

Positive, will connect with eastern parishes Crime may increase People may move to other parishes

Areas where new development should not occur?

Farms and agricultural lands

Environmental areas

Are you concerned about any environmental issues?

No

Sewage/solid waste issues

Derailments

Potential for visual clutter

Is there a racial division in the parish?

Yes/No

We need to be the same and the parish will be better for it

There is but not a sharp division

In some instances people are treated differently

Economic division is a sharper division

Long term/new residents division

Property rights

We need to keep what we have, keep our property rights intact – not do away with these rights… we are under too much control now – we need permits for everything.

People should have the right to do what they want on their property – have own resources – should be allowed to do what want.

Property rights

We need equity in our land use and regulatory structures

People do not want a repeat of Hospital road – with a hodge podge mixture of uses, and no consistency

Property owners want to know that their land is protected from noxious uses that can come in adjacent to them

There should be some type of regulations – it is not right for neighbors to bring my value down – should have some type of protections in place

Dreams for future

Educated, productive children; productive education system

Like to see planned growth with good jobs for all citizens

Businesses that can employ people produced by our education system

Business opportunities that can enable children to come back to the parish after educated

Lots of green space - for recreation and for agriculture

More public access to natural resources and attractions that we do have here

Structured growth that appeals to the people but maintains the historic nature and the setting that we have now – which can happen with careful planning

Guiding Principle Work SessionLivable Community - Growth Retain the rural small town feel of our parish. Focus new housing and jobs in existing developed

areas already served by infrastructure. Focus new housing and jobs in the area around the

new bridge. Encourage new homes and jobs throughout the

parish. Provide quality housing and schools for people

working in the Parish, Baton Rouge and other surrounding areas.

Encourage investment throughout the parish. Do not change the parish.

Guiding Principle Work Session

Livable Community – Land Use/Housing Protect and maintain agricultural uses. Provide attractive and safe neighborhoods and commercial

areas in which to live, work and visit. Develop more residential areas like we have today. Provide more opportunities to shop for basic needs in the

parish, perhaps even regional scale retail. Allow for a larger variety of housing options – in both style

and size. Focus smaller lot and multi-family housing toward existing

hubs of activity. Design new residential areas with ‘personality’ so that

residents may experience a sense of community and place. Ensure that the parish has adequate housing supply at the

right cost to meet the demands. Protect what we have and plan for the future by using

planning tools such as subdivision and zoning regulations and strategic investment in infrastructure.

Guiding Principle Work SessionLivable Community - Transportation Properly scale streets to fit their surroundings

to ensure safety and attractiveness. Direct new development toward areas where

there is adequate roads to accommodate growth.

Provide safe and efficient access to Baton Rouge and surrounding communities.

Provide safe and convenient access to housing, jobs, shopping, and services in all areas of the parish.

Provide alternative transportation services for people without cars.

Provide more trails and bike paths throughout the parish for all residents.

Guiding Principle Work SessionProsperous Economy Attract new industry to the parish and provide quality jobs

for parish residents. Encourage entrepreneurs and plan for a variety of jobs for

parish residents. Center economic development opportunities around the

new Audubon Bridge. Explore economic development opportunities that

capitalize on the Parish’s unique river and lake location. Capitalize on the quality of life, natural beauty, diversity,

cultural assets and uniqueness of the parish to attract new business.

Provide infrastructure – transportation, water and sewer - to encourage future growth.

Enhance our town areas and expand retail and services in them.

Promote scenic recreation opportunities. Develop training programs for the parish workforce.

Guiding Principle Work SessionHealthy Environment Preserve the natural beauty and open space of the

parish. Promote development that contributes to cleaner air

and water and preservation of natural resources. Provide access to parks and open space for all residents

and locate new parks and open spaces throughout the parish.

Provide adequate sewer facilities to existing and new development.

Make it easier to walk to places – provide more walkable connections from homes to services.

Reduce dumping and trash in the parish. Improve the water quality of False River and protect

this important asset. Eliminate affluent into our waterways.

Guiding Principle Work Session

Opportunity and Equity Increase the amount of affordable housing in the parish. Accommodate a variety of housing types to appeal to people at all

income levels, in a variety of locations. All residents should have equal access to quality housing, jobs,

education and health care. Strive for greater engagement in government and other civic activities

for people of all ethnicities and cultures. Maintain quality civic activities, from schools to parks for all parish

citizens. Develop a mechanism for ongoing citizen education, involvement and

input into the parish decision making processes. Establish and consistently implement equitable land use regulations,

policies and procedures. Improve the educational system. Provide public access to the False River. Upgrade existing housing. Prepare a plan that is good for all parish citizens; raise the quality of

life of all citizens.

Base Map

Review & discussion

Next Steps

Guiding principles Opportunities and constraints Development types and scenarios Parish workshop Small area workshop Strategies Comprehensive Plan Draft Implementation

Questions/Comments?

Thank you!