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Item 3.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 05/13/2024 |
| Title: | Public Hearing and Resolution to adopt the City of Billings Public Participation Plan |
| Presented by: | Lora Mattox |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review: | Yes |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council conduct a public hearing on the proposed Public Participation Plan (P3) to comply with the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA) and approve the resolution to adopt the P3.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The 2023 Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA) provides a framework for local governments to engage in land use planning processes. One of the key components of MLUPA is public participation. It emphasizes the importance of involving the public in decisions related to land use planning, zoning, and development. Having this Public Participation Plan in place is a key requirement for moving ahead with revising the City's Growth Policy with a Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map per the 2023 MLUPA requirements.
Purpose: The purpose of the Public Participation Plan is to establish guidelines and procedures for engaging the public in land use planning activities. By adopting this plan, the Council demonstrates its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and community involvement in decision-making processes.
Key Components of the Plan:
Purpose: The purpose of the Public Participation Plan is to establish guidelines and procedures for engaging the public in land use planning activities. By adopting this plan, the Council demonstrates its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and community involvement in decision-making processes.
Key Components of the Plan:
- Outreach Strategies: The plan outlines various strategies for reaching out to the community, including public meetings, workshops, surveys, social media, and traditional media channels.
- Timelines and Notices: It establishes clear timelines for public notice of planning activities, ensuring that residents have adequate time to participate and provide feedback.
- Accessibility Measures: The plan includes provisions for making information accessible to all residents, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency.
- Feedback Mechanisms: It outlines mechanisms for collecting and analyzing public input, such as comment forms, online platforms, and public hearings.
- Evaluation and Improvement: The plan includes provisions for evaluating the effectiveness of public participation efforts and making improvements based on feedback and lessons learned.
STAKEHOLDERS
By adopting this plan, the City Council assures residents of a clear and defined public participation process.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve the Resolution to adopt the Public Participation Plan that defines the City’s process in providing for continuous public participation; or,
- Not Approve the Resolution to adopt the Public Participation Plan. By not adopting the plan, the City does not provide a process for continuous public participation and is not in compliance with the 2023 Montana Land Use Planning Act requirements.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The adoption of this resolution will not directly affect city finances. However, to provide for continuous public participation, resources such as staff time, materials, and other engagement activities may affect project budgets.
SUMMARY
Staff recommends that City Council hold a public hearing to discuss and approve the proposed Public Participation Plan (P3) in accordance with the 2023 Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). The plan aims to involve the community in land use planning processes, ensuring transparency and inclusivity.
Key components include outreach strategies, clear timelines for public notice, accessibility measures, feedback mechanisms, and evaluation procedures. Adoption of the plan assures residents of a defined public participation process. The Council has two alternatives: to adopt the plan or not, with the latter resulting in a lack of defined public engagement process. While the resolution's adoption won't directly impact city finances, resources may be required for continuous public participation efforts. In essence, adopting the Resolution ensures compliance with MLUPA's requirement for continuous public participation in land use decisions.
Key components include outreach strategies, clear timelines for public notice, accessibility measures, feedback mechanisms, and evaluation procedures. Adoption of the plan assures residents of a defined public participation process. The Council has two alternatives: to adopt the plan or not, with the latter resulting in a lack of defined public engagement process. While the resolution's adoption won't directly impact city finances, resources may be required for continuous public participation efforts. In essence, adopting the Resolution ensures compliance with MLUPA's requirement for continuous public participation in land use decisions.