In the spring of 2001, responding to a state mandate that it update its comprehensive plan by January 2003, Portland established a neighborhood-based planning (NBP) process. The intent is to allow for broader public participation; create plans that are conscious of unique neighborhood character; help form bonds between community members, groups and businesses; provide a voice for the neighborhood with city staff and the City Council; and shape a set of neighborhood visions.
In June 2001, Peaks Island Neighborhood Association (PINA) received a letter from the assistant city manager, Larry Mead, inviting the association to take part in the planning process. In November, the city planning staff drafted an NBP model, and Mead came to Peaks and described the concept to the PINA general membership. Since then, with PINA support, a separate group of islanders has formed coordinating committee and begun to lay out an organizational scheme, timeline and task list. The city, recognizing that the island has taken the initiative, has pledged to lend as much support as possible.
The Peaks Island Neighborhood Plan will be a success only if there is broad involvement. Participation can take a number of different forms. A member of an organization could be on the coordinating committee and help manage and organize the plan, or serve on a task team that investigates a specific aspect of the island. Another option is for any member of the community to come to a public meeting and express his or her opinions.
Two planning meetings in January took steps towards organizing a coordinating committee and task teams. Two February meetings outlined task teams: Historic and Architectural Resources, Marine Resources, Popu-lation and Demographics, Land Use Patterns, Housing, Transportation, Recreation and Open Space, Public Facilities, Health, Economy, Community Character, and Water, Topography, Soil.
The neighborhood planning process is a great opportunity for islanders to express their views for the future of the island. The plan could be an opportunity for islanders to talk about the issues that concern them, anticipate future problems, decide how to deal with them and engage the city’s political and administrative leadership.
Nate Gray is an Island Institute Fellow based on Peaks Island.