ASPIREAchieving Site Plan Innovation in Review

Elements

Julia Billings - Talar Hovnanian - Tania Mahtani - Janell O’Keefe - Logan Sheehan

Retool, Repackage, Revive SPARC• Assessment• Best-Practices Manual• Implementation

Program Vision

ASPIRE aims to help all communities to achieve efficient and effective site plan

review processes for their desired levels of development.

Site Plan Review Best Practices

• Site Plan Review Procedures• Accessibility of Information• Clarity of Information• County Support for Municipalities

Site Plan Review Best Practices

Site Plan Review Process

• Petitioner Engagement• Pre-application Meeting• Administrative Process• Time Frame

Site Plan Review Process

Source: City of Sterling Heights. (2010). A Guide to the Sterling Heights Site Plan Review Process

Accessibility of Information

Accessibility of Information• Designated Contact Person• Requirements Checklist• Location of Information• Access to Zoning Map and Master Plan• Up to Date Process

Accessibility of Information• Designated Contact Person• Requirements Checklist• Location of Information• Access to Zoning Map and Master Plan• Up to Date Process

Clarity of Information

Clarity of Information• Informational Documentation• Glossary of Planning Language• Precise Language

Source: New York City Department of City Planning. (2011). Zoning handbook 2011 edition. New York City: New York City Department of City Planning.

Clarity of Information• Informational Documentation• Glossary of Planning Language• Precise Language

Precise LanguageVague

“The plan for the proposedbuilding structure is in conformity with good tasteand design and in generalcontributes to the image of thetown as a place of beauty.”

Precise"The proposed building andlandscape plans are consistentwith the catalogue examples ofacceptable styles, elements,materials, massing, detailing,landscaping, and relationships tostreet frontages and abuttingproperties and does not includethe unacceptable examples in thecatalogue."

Source: American Planning Association

Recommendations for the County

Recommendations for the County• Encourage petitioner contact/engagement• County website– Access to contact info– Access to zoning codes & master plans

• GIS• Assessment & Implementation

Recommendations for the County• Encourage petitioner contact/engagement• County website– Access to contact info– Access to zoning codes & master plans

• GIS• Assessment & Implementation

Implementation Options• Distribute Manual• Educational Program• Certification Program

County Wide Educational Program• Puts the manual into context• Run by County Staff• Workshops can cover best practices in context

of each municipality

• Accessible• Interactive• Knowledge of Participants• Municipal Autonomy• Feedback• Tracking Progress

Educational Workshop

Certification Program for Municipality

• Municipality Specific Assessment of Process• Training on Best Practices• Checklist of Best Practices Recommendations

Certification• Accountability• Structured Knowledge Base• Feedback• Biggest Potential for Change

Thank you!