Podcasts about comprehensive plan

In this episode of “Untitled, for now”, Rueben, Brooke, Rob Lanier, and producer Brandon continue their ongoing discussion about city government, civic engagement, and the future of Beacon.The conversation begins with a passionate public comment from longtime resident Theresa Craft, whose remarks spark a deeper discussion about transparency, public participation, and the current structure of City Council meetings. The team examines concerns about workshop discussions and votes occurring on the same night, the challenges residents face when trying to stay informed, and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for public input.Topics discussed include:• The current City Council meeting format and concerns about rushed decision-making• Public access to information and meeting materials• Communication between elected officials and residents• The role of transparency in building trust within local government• The transition of leadership within City Hall and questions surrounding the City Administrator position• The importance of civic engagement and resident participation in local government• Beacon's upcoming Comprehensive Plan and Capital Plan processes• Community concerns regarding project priorities• The Rail Trail and Greenway Trail discussions• The ongoing call for a community center in Beacon• The role nonprofits, volunteers, and residents play in shaping the future of the city• Why informed citizens make stronger communitiesThe panel also reflects on the value of community leadership, volunteerism, and collective action, encouraging residents to stay engaged, ask questions, and make their voices heard as Beacon plans for the future.Special RecognitionThe episode concludes with a tribute to former Beacon Police Chief John Johnson Sr., honoring his service, leadership, and lasting impact on the Beacon community.Community Event: An Evening with Don PruittJoin This Is Beacon host Rueben for a special live conversation with author Don Pruitt.Date: June 28, 2026Time: 6:00 PMLocation: Howland Public Library, Beacon, NYRueben will sit down with Don Pruitt to discuss his writing journey, published works, and connections to the Hudson Valley.RSVP TodayReserve your spot through the Howland Public Library website:www.beaconlibrary.orgStay ConnectedHelp more people discover conversations that matter in Beacon:• Subscribe to This Is Beacon on your favorite podcast platform• Rate and review the show to help it reach new listeners• Share episodes with friends, neighbors, and community membersSponsor or Support the ShowInterested in sponsoring an episode or partnering with This Is Beacon?Email:iambeacon.info@gmail.comSupport the mission of I Am Beacon and help strengthen local storytelling and community engagement:www.iambeacon.orgThank you for listening and for being part of an informed, engaged Beacon community.

On the latest edition of Happenin' in Homer, X101's Matt Brooks chats with Emma Falkenstein from Highland Planning, who’s also the project manager for the Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. The[Read More...] The post Emma Falkenstein Joins Happenin’ in Homer to Discuss Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan appeared first on X101 Always Classic - WXHC.com.

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Seattle Nice, which takes up Mayor Katie Wilson's proposal to double the current transit sales tax. It's a familiar Seattle policy dilemma: how do we pay for the reliable public transit we need without relying on regressive taxes?  Next, we examine the newly passed Housing Opportunities Package (HOP). It's a massive set of zoning changes and regulatory shifts aimed at kickstarting residential construction across the city. Is the unanimous vote a good sign for the upcoming, high-stakes battle over Seattle's Comprehensive Plan?  Finally, we're opening the mailbag to field your questions and comments. If you've got a take on transit, thoughts on housing, or just want to tell us we're getting it wrong, write in at realseattlenice@gmail.com.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice. 

Mary Kissel discusses the potential collapse of the Castro regime due to severe economic mismanagement and food shortages. She highlights the need for a comprehensive plan to rebuild while deterring Russian and Chinese influence. (6)1919

Where do you get your information about what's happening in the greater Charlottesville area? Hopefully from multiple sources in order to expose yourself to multiple perspectives. But perhaps this is your first time looking at (or listening to) the opening words of a sonic edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and podcast that seeks to get more people to understand what's happening at local and regional government.Longtime readers are aware that there is a podcast edition of this newsletter that eventually shows up. No matter the day of publication, the sonic version also serves as a way for people who refuse to listen to still have an opportunity to sample stories from the past week that have since been posted over at Information Charlottesville.This particular edition is a longer version than usual as there was no dedicated podcast last week. That means this one has audio stories from two WTJU radio editions plus some that didn't fit in the broadcast version for May 16. There's a lot happening in this community and I'm determine to cover what I can through the lens of local government.I'm Sean Tubbs and I'll remind everyone that this work is only possible due to paid subscriptions to Substack as well as charitable contributions. Since July 2020, this newsletter seeks to bring information to as many people as possible in the hope of improving conversations.In this edition:* Salvation Army launches fundraising campaign for Center for Hope (read the story)* Many details remain to be worked out for how three groups will work together at Charlottesville's future low-barrier shelter (read the story)* Albemarle staff working on five projects to implement new Comprehensive Plan (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors leave Comprehensive Plan amendment process as is (read the story)* Charlottesville to form committee of developers to encourage more Missing Middle housing (read the story)* Council holds first reading on how to use Community Development Block Grants CDBG funds in 2026 (read the story)* Tree Commission presents recommendations for how City Council can help improve tree canopy (read the story)* In a divided vote, MPO Policy Board moves forward with two Smart Scale projects without city support (read the story)* Albemarle and Charlottesville both mark Older Americans Month (read the story)First shout-out: Camp Albemarle!Since the middle of 2020, one way I've brought in revenue for Charlottesville Community Engagement has been by offering shout-outs to those who were willing to pay a little more to help this venture get off the ground.For six years, one of those people has been someone who wanted you to know a little about Camp Albemarle, which has for over eighty years been a “wholesome rural, rustic and restful site for youth activities, church groups, civic events and occasional private programs.”Located on 14 acres on the banks of the Moorman's River near Free Union, Camp Albemarle continues as a legacy of being a Civilian Conservation Corps project that sought to promote the importance of rural activities.Rebuilt in the early 1980's, a legacy of 4-H programming thrives along with a wide range of additional activities. Educational initiatives from schools across the region spark environmental learning moments at every turn. Visit the website to learn more!Second shout-out: Support this journalism with a paid subscription or a charitable gift! Every day I wake up and think about what I need to do to get stories out about what's happening. Over the past six years, I've built an engine to remind me when I clock in what I need to do next. If life is a role-playing game, I rolled the dice and ended up in the weird category of observer.I'm able to do this work and be prolific because of the investments of others over the past 20 years. For almost six years now, this newsletter has sought to document upcoming decisions about the future. There is a value to having someone consistently paying attention to help others understand how we got to here and how we might go forward.Perhaps you want to help ensure the work continues?* A paid subscription through Substack is the most effective. There is little to no content behind the paywall, but this helps pay the bills.* You can make a charitable contribution through the Tiny News Collective. This directly supports journalism and is likely the way I'll be able to hire people. Learn more here.* You can become an experimental advertiser! For a very low price, you can support the work by getting a message out in the form of a shout-out, a sponsorship message, or a display ad over at Information Charlottesville. Message me for more information.But perhaps the most important thing is to share this newsletter with people you think might be interested. Right now I'm very close to 5,000 subscribers to this newsletter and it would be nice to cross that threshold some time this year. Do your part and find out what the share button does! And here are some social media possibilities:* I created a BlueSky account because I missed Twitter but I don't do much except post links to Information Charlottesville stories. That may change.* There are 444 followers of the Town Crier Productions Facebook page which is currently solely used to let people know when a story has been posted to Information Charlottesville. I may begin using this to do live video of podcast recording. Interested?* There are slightly more followers on Instagram, but I have paused posting here because I want to make the images look better and so far that's not been worth investing the time.* I post a version of the Week Ahead on Reddit each Sunday which is a little shorter. This is intended to attract people to the newsletter and many of you got here from there. But there is no official page and you have to know my username. Maybe I'll change that in the future?* Except for reposts of this show, there is no new content on the Charlottesville Podcasting Network but it predates this newsletter by 15 years. I had a good idea and all I wanted to do was tell stories about the community. Here I am still, hoping to get more people involved.* Except for instructional videos on how to produce audio, I'm not doing video. Not everyone has to do video. But I just found this very unwatchable thing I did for Patreon supporters back in May 2021! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Send us Fan MailLong-range planner Paul Donegan joins us to discuss how Arvada's comprehensive plan update will shape the next 20 years, from housing and transportation to parks, water, and neighborhood quality of life. Paul explains how the city turns a shared vision into real projects, why this update takes 18 to 20 months, and how community members can weigh in early and often. Included in this episode: What a comprehensive plan is and why it matters Why Arvada updates the plan on a regular cycle and what has changed since 2014 The difference between the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code and zoning Real examples of comprehensive planning outcomes like G Line access and park walkability goals Ways to join the process through the advisory group, events, surveys, meetings, and email updates The four-phase timeline, scenario analysis, and how the final plan gets adopted Misconceptions we hear most, including zoning confusion and requests for specific retailers Quick trivia on Arvada planning history and build-out projections You can stay in touch with us a number of different ways using the link in the top of the show notes to text us. You can also email us at podcast at Arvada.org. News and events: The City's Volunteer Appreciation Event is Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Allen House Pavilion. To learn more, visit arvadaco.gov/volunteer and sign up for our volunteer email list. The Ralston Central Splash Pad is set to open Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23. The Splash Pad uses recycled water, like a swimming pool, so the operating hours will not be impacted by the City's drought restrictions. However, the Olde Town Fountain does not use recycled water – it uses treated water – therefore it will only be on during special events this summer, such as the Farmer's Market and Second Saturdays, while Stage 1 restrictions are in place. The second annual Arvada Summerfest is coming up on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ralston Park Addition, just north of Arvada West High School. This is a community-driven event featuring live music, fundraising, kids activities and more. Like all the City festivals, it's free to attend. Learn more at arvadaco.gov/summerfest. The annual Arvada Kids Fishing Contest is coming up on Saturday, June 13 from 7 to 11 a.m. at Arvada-Blunn Reservoir. The event is free and open to kids age 14 and younger, along with their families. The fishing contest includes prizes for each age division, along with a free lunch and raffle. Learn more at arvadaco.gov/fishing-contest. Next bulky item drop off event is Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC). Be sure to bring proof of residency and check the list of acceptable items on our website arvadaco.gov/bulkyitemsVisit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

The 3-2 County Council vote Tuesday approved the Planning Commission's preferred alternative for Clark County's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, setting up a growth-oriented path that preserves expansion options for cities like Ridgefield while drawing sharp opposition over farmland protection concerns. Councilors Matt Little, Glen Yung, and Michelle Belkot voted yes, while Wil Fuentes and Sue Marshall voted no, citing existing urban capacity and sprawl risks. The decision affects 840 affordable housing units, 1,261 jobs, and urban growth area expansions across multiple Clark County cities. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-council-approves-preferred-alternative-for-the-countys-2045-comprehensive-plan-update/ #ClarkCounty #ComprehensivePlan #UrbanGrowth #Planning #Housing #Farmland #Development #GrowthManagement #Politics

Nick Johnson, planning manager for the city of Bloomington, Minnesota, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Johnson talks about his first year as planning manager, as well as the planning commission and staff's approach to policy and the city's 2050 Comprehensive Plan.

Beacon is changing fast. The question is, do residents fully understand how and why?In this first episode of a new series, the team breaks down what's happening across the city and why so many people feel like decisions are moving faster than they can keep up with.Joined by longtime resident and former zoning board chair Robert Lanier, the conversation pulls back the curtain on leadership transitions, City Council dynamics, and the real impact of the Comprehensive Plan.The episode digs into what residents are seeing and feeling every day:Fast-tracked leadership decisions and what that means for transparencyA new City Council navigating complex issues at a rapid paceParking pressure as a sign of deeper planning challengesRising housing costs and what “affordable” really meansA recent public safety incident and the impact of limited communicationThis is not about politics. It's about understanding how decisions made at City Hall show up in your daily life.If you've ever asked, “How did we get here?” this episode is for you.

This $2.4B Money Management Firm Shares Timeless Advice Chris Ballard, Managing Director at Check CapitalManagement.Websitehttps://checkcapital.com/AUM - 2.4 Billion Company BioCheck Capital Management is an award-winning investment and asset management firm based in Costa Mesa, California, serving clients throughout the United States. Founded in 1987, the firm specializes in long-term, value-oriented portfolio management, with a focus on acquiring shares of high-quality businesses at attractive prices and helping clients protect and grow their wealth.Known for its disciplined investment philosophy and personalized service, Check Capital offers both traditional asset-based fee structures and profit-based management options, designed to align the firm's interests with client outcomes. The firm manages more than $2.3 billion in assets and serves a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and corporate accounts.With a commitment to thoughtful research and a long-term perspective, Check Capital combines rigorous fundamental analysis with a client-first approach to deliver tailored investment solutions and long-term financial guidance.Chris Ballard's Bio:Chris Ballard, CFP® is a seasoned financial advisor and Certified Financial Planner with a strong focus on helping individuals and families achieve their long-term financial goals. Based in Costa Mesa, California, Chris works with clients at Check Capital Management, where he provides personalized financial planning and portfolio management services tailored to each client's unique needs.With a comprehensive understanding of retirement planning, investment strategy, and risk management, Chris leverages his CFP® designation and financial expertise to guide clients through complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Outside of his professional work, he is known for his commitment to delivering thoughtful, client-centered advice that aligns with both short-term priorities and long-term objectives.

Kering's new CEO, Luca de Meo, laid out a sprawling plan to turn the company around. After several years of slow but notable sales declines, particularly at its crown jewel, Gucci, Kering needs a new strategy. On the Glossy Podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska discuss what was wrong with Kering's previous strategy, what de Meo's new plan entails, and how likely it is to succeed.

Friday has rolled around again which means it is time to scramble out another audio edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. This time around there is a big focus on municipal budgeting because the purpose of Town Crier Productions is to focus on the details of revenues and expenditures with a hope toward greater community understanding. At least, that's the way this version of Sean Tubbs is programmed.In this edition:* Charlottesville City Council has adopted a budget for the next fiscal year that increased the real property tax rate by a penny, one fewer cent than had been proposed (full story below!)* Albemarle Supervisors have a few remaining decisions to make for the county's FY2027 budget (read the story)* Albemarle and Charlottesville commemorate Dark Sky Week (read the story)* A preview of the Week AheadShout-out / PSA #1: Friends of JMRL Book SaleThe Friends of the Jefferson Madison Regional Library's Spring Book Sale is running now through this Sunday from 10:00am to 7:00pm each day at Albemarle Square Shopping Center. Additionally, April 11th and 12th are ½-price days. Choose from thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, games and puzzles, with restocking occurring throughout the sale. Proceeds benefit our regional public library system. Visit jmrlfriends DOT org for more informationCharlottesville goes with penny increase on real property tax rate rather than twoNote: The podcast edition of this budget story is stitched together from several reports. This is a consolidated version used for a script and lacks hyperlinks and other resources.One of the most important duties of governing bodies in Virginia localities is to adopt a budget for each fiscal year.For Charlottesville City Council, the process began this year on March 2 when Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders introduced a budget that was built on a two-cent increase in the real property tax rate to an even $1 for every $100 of assessed property.Since then, there have been several work sessions in which Sander's recommended budget gradually became the one that Council adopted on April 9.These were mostly held on Thursdays beginning on March 5 with a work session dedicated to the Vibrant Community Fund on March 12. That's the process through which the city provides money to nonprofit organizations.Informal budget hearingOn March 19, the city held an informal public hearing during what is billed as the Community Budget Forum.The only speaker was Jim Moore who said he has eight rental properties within Charlottesville.“I tend to try to keep my rents a little below market, and I have some tenants that really can't afford much more than that,” Moore said.Moore said the property assessment for one of those rental units increased by 74 percent from 2021 to 2025. He asked for the city to lower the anticipated rate increase.The budget forum ended up being more like a work session with staff presenting information to the City Councilors on potential ways to lower the rate. But first, budget director Krisy Hammill explained why the two cent real property rate increase had been proposed.“Most of the new revenue for the tax increase was put in the budget to offset the deeper transit investments, the increased match for the schools, and also the impacts of collective bargaining,” Hammill said.That two cent tax increase generates $2,467,724 a year.To help eliminate one of those pennies, Hammill said staff were comfortable projecting slightly higher revenue forecasts and also showed some ways to reduce revenue, including less funding for Charlottesville Area Transit, tapping into a reserve fund, and eliminating funds for Council Strategic Initiatives.“One other option would be to move the schools back to the original 2 million that we had originally built the budget around, thus reducing their increase by $569,000,” Hammill said.The budget anticipates hiring ten additional drivers for Charlottesville Area Transit. Under one potential scenario to reduce funding, money would be in place to hire five in July and the other five would be hired in January as well as additional mechanics and supervisors. That might also mean scheduled service improvements might be delayed.City Manager Sam Sanders said this would defer spending and Council would have to build positions into next year's budget. That would create a structural imbalance that would have to be addressed.“Any creation of a structural imbalance is a risk,” Sanders said. “The question is how much of a risk are you willing to take. When you create the imbalance this year and solve it this way next year, you're saying that your reassessment should be higher to start with. And you can't guarantee that.”Councilor Jen Fleisher said she liked the idea of limiting the real property tax rate increase to a penny as a middle ground option.Councilor Natalie Oschrin said she did not support delaying expanded transit.“I appreciate coming up with the CAT adjustment scenario to try and make it fit,” Oschrin said. “I would prefer not to do that since it just kind of kicks the can down the road a little bit.”Oschrin said she could support using the reserve and eliminating additional funding for Council's strategic initiatives.Councilor Michael Payne said he could support a one penny tax rate increase but said the risk to split funding for CAT personnel would be too high.“I don't like in the past when we've set ourselves up with kind of fiscal cliffs,” Payne said.Mayor Juandiego Wade also said he could support a penny increase.“I appreciate the work that I've done to kind of bring back because we've been hearing from residents about the, the cost of living, the, the tax increase and this I believe is a good, won't satisfy everyone,” Wade said. “But I think it's a good, good compromise if we decide to go in this direction.”No decisions on tax rate at March 26 CIP work sessionThe March 26 work session dealt with the Capital Improvement Program.That's the portion of the budget that sets out what a locality expects to spend on infrastructure over the next five years.“The CIP plan for 27 is just over $47 million with $196 million over the five years,” Hammill said. “If we were to look in terms of dollars spent, education is the highest in this plan, followed by transportation and access, and then affordable housing coming in third.”There were no major changes in this year's CIP. The Charlottesville Planning Commission had a work session on the capital budget in late November and later had a public hearing in December.The five-year CIP currently includes $500,000 a year for a line item called Parks and Recreation Master Plan Implementation. Sanders said that number will increase in the years to come because the master plan adopted by Council in March 2025 had a $78 million price tag over ten years.“We know that those numbers need to be dramatically different if we're going to come anywhere close to that,” Sanders said. “But we now have an assistant city manager here who's going to be working with the team to try to figure out how do we allocate better over the next five year cycle.”Part of the plan calls for major changes to Market Street Park, Court Square Park, Washington Park, and Tonsler Park. Sanders said each will be expensive and staff still needs to work out the timing.Parks and Recreation Director Riaan Anthony said the department will seek grants in addition to tax dollars to pay for the various projects.“In order for us to get there, we have to right size our department and the city,” Anthony said. “We are working in partnership with Public Works, reaching out to their department to say hey, do you have any resources?”There was further discussion of the parks and recreation master plan at the April 6 City Council work session.March 26 work sessionAt the March 26 session there was a further discussion on the possibility of a one cent sales tax increase, what to do with anticipated payment-in-lieu fees for student housing projects, as well as miscellaneous discussions.Toward the end, Sanders hit reset on the discussion of the tax rate. On March 19, there had appeared to be consensus to limit the increase to a penny but Council still had to make decisions.“We're looking for you to finalize what scenario we are actually going with for offsetting, for addressing the fact that you're stepping back from two cent increase on the real estate tax to a one cent increase on the real estate tax,” Sanders said.However, that discussion did not happen at the meeting. Instead, Councilors sent suggestions to Sanders and Hammill via email on how to offset the funding if they wanted to proceed.April 2 wrap-upThe April 2 budget work session was described as a wrap-up session.“The items that are open for discussion that we're looking for answers on is closing out the review of the Vibrant Community Fund process and how Council is looking to utilize your Strategic Initiatives fund,” Sanders said.The Vibrant Community Fund process had been covered at the March 12 work session. This is how nonprofit organizations seek funding from Charlottesville. The full report can be seen here.Mayor Wade wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page regarding the penny increase on the real estate tax rate.“We had initially looked at a two cent tax increase, but we saw options where we could do one,” Wade said. “And I just want to make sure if you, if we have that information we can bring them make sure everyone's on the same page with that. And if I can get a head nod or yes from everyone as we go down the line, make sure we are all okay with that.”As the meeting began, Council had a $228,000 gap to fill if they wanted to go with a penny increase. Hammill displayed the math on a spreadsheet, a spreadsheet made available to the public after I asked for it.The real public hearings on April 6After multiple budget work sessions, Charlottesville City Council held the final set of public hearings on April 6 for the budget for Fiscal Year 2027 as well as the real property tax rate.The only speaker for the tax rate hearing was Richard Spurzem of the development company Neighborhood Properties who urged caution when increasing taxes.“Many communities have a history of reducing the tax rates when assessments go up,” Spurzem said. “For instance in Waynesboro in 2023 they reduced their tax rate from 90 cents to 77 cents.”Spurzem said Charlottesville is increasing the tax burden for business and he said that might lead to investors deciding to go somewhere else. He said the Development Code has so far led to no approvals for major buildings and the current student housing projects of the Verve and the Blume might be the last.“I don't know who's going to build hotels that are going to compete with the brand new hotels that UVA has built on Ivy Road and out at Darden,” Spurzem said.After the public hearing for the tax rate, budget director Krisy Hammill explained that the amended budget is for just over $280 million, higher than what had been recommended by City Manager Sam Sanders on March 6.In addition to including higher revenue forecasts, staff found several line items in the budget that will not be spent down in FY2026 so that money will be added to the FY2027 at around $910,000 in available revenue.“It includes a few accounts that generally we carry over from year to year, including Historic Resources, Sister City Funds, the citywide reserve, the Council Strategic Initiatives account, money or donations that have been received and unspent for the Grand Illumination, the Councilor discretionary funds, the Minority Business Fund and also the job fair,” Hammill said.Two people spoke during the public hearing on the budget including former Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker. She said people are beginning to feel the effects of an increased tax burden and said the city is not expanding the Charlottesville Homeowner Assistance Program fast enough to provide relief.“A lot of low income families are being pushed out and middle income families are struggling,” Walker said. “There are a lot of wealthy people in Charlottesville. We know that they can afford the increase, but because you all are not expanding it at the rate that you need to be, it is not as it was intended to work.”Walker also called on more accountability for Charlottesville City Schools.A second person wanted to know why health care for employees has increased 15 percent and why funding for public transportation is going up 17 percent.“And yet when I see the buses pass here, there, and everywhere, there's not many people riding the buses,” said Richard Finley, a recent Charlottesville resident. “Before you increase so dramatically, do you do an audit or an evaluation of the ridership on the buses?”Finley also asked if the city had ever tried to require the University of Virginia to make a payment in lieu of taxes to cover the cost to use municipal infrastructure.Councilor Lloyd Snook said under state law, a locality cannot compel such a payment but that an institution could make one voluntarily.April 9 adoptionCouncil held a special meeting on April 9 at 6:30 p.m. to formally adopt the tax rates and the budget for FY2027. The deadline under Charlottesville charter is April 15.While there were no surprises, the meeting gives a glimpse into some of the details of how taxation works in Virginia. Changes in Richmond can affect what happens in localities for years to come, such as when a former governor campaigned on elimination of the “car tax.”“The City gets about $3.5 million from the state every year,” said Charlottesville Commissioner of Revenue Todd Divers. “That's kind of what's left over from Governor [Jim] Gilmore's attempt to eliminate personal property tax. They tried it for a while, ran out of money, and then they sort of froze the amounts to all the localities, and that's the amount we get.”The city uses that $3.5 million to offset a percentage of everyone's personal property taxes. Council has to agreed to that number and this year it has been set at 31 percent.“Essentially, if your vehicle qualifies, if it's a personal use vehicle, 31 percent of your tax bill will be paid by the state,” Divers said.Council voted unanimously to approve that number.Next was a resolution to adopt the FY2027 budget and tax levy. City Manager Sam Sanders had some remarks and said that this has been another challenging budget year as he seeks ways to fund spending desired by the City Council.“I continue to talk about Charlottesville as a place that punches above its weight class,” Sanders said. “Every budget cycle is a reminder of that, because we are dedicated to the idea that we are that community and that we want to try to do as many things as we possibly can.”Sanders said the idea of a tax rate increase is hard for many and it weighs on him to have brought one forward.“My goal is always to help you not go but so far in any pursuit that you have as you change that rate, because it does go into the pockets of individuals who have difficulties in our community,” Sanders said.The advertised budget was for a two cent increase, but Council moved that down to one penny throughout the course of their work sessions.Then there was the vote.“We have a budget,” Wade said. “Thank you so much. So, do you like take a month's vacation?”“About an hour,” Hammill said.This reporter knows the feeling.Shout-out / PSA #2: Gretchen Walsh to speak at Emily Couric Leadership Forum on April 27This year's recipient of the Emily Couric Leadership Forum's leadership award is Olympic swimming champion Gretchen Walsh. She will be the speaker at a luncheon to be held at the Omni Hotel Charlottesville on Monday, April 27th at noon. Walsh, a 2025 UVA alum, is one of the most accomplished swimmers of her generation, holding 13 world records across long-course and short-course competition. Online ticket sales for the luncheon begin on Monday, March 23rd. For more information, visit, Emily Couric Leadership Forum dot OrgA rudimentary week ahead to fill a two minute gap in audio This week's edition is a little short so that's a good a time as any to look ahead to what's coming up the week of April 13. Monday the 13th!Let's start with the University of Virginia Board of Visitors who meet the evening of April 15 for a reception and again on April 16 for business. Committees that will convene include the Finance group and the Audit, Risk, and Compliance panel.In Albemarle, the Places29-Hydraulic Community Advisory Committee on Monday will hold a community meeting for a proposed rezoning that would allow for 15 townhouses on a one-acre parcel.On Tuesday, the Albemarle Planning Commission will discuss changes to the county's rule on importing fill dirt and will hold a public hearing on a special use permit for a 400-person religious assembly hall right at Interstate 64's Exit 107 in Crozet.On Wednesday, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors will hear what “big moves” staff wants to make to implement a new Comprehensive Plan. Will lighting reform to protect the Dark Sky be on the list?In the evening, there will be a public hearing on increases of Development Fees as well as the tax rates for the current calendar year. A reminder that this includes a proposed 15 cent increase in the personal property tax rate. Then a public hearing on the budget, but Supervisors will wait a week before finally adopting the document.On Thursday, Albemarle County will hold a public meeting on the future of a pocket park on Hillsdale DriveIn Charlottesville, the Economic Development Authority meets on Tuesday and continue to do so off camera with no recording. Later on the Planning Commission meets and will have a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant funding. The Planning Commission will also take action on a special exception and get a report on a study of student housing fees.Next week the Housing Advisory Committee and the Board of Zoning Appeals will meet.More details in the Week Ahead newsletter that will go out on Sunday.Hello anyone who made it to this line! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

This week we chew over Mayor Katie Wilson's accelerated approach to the Comprehensive Plan, and council scrutiny of city human services contracts following fraud allegations at King County. Plus, the proposed $410 million library levy, with council amendments adding tens of millions.Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comThanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice. 

Thomas English talks with a guest from the Nevada City Council about the recent happenings and issues in the city of Nevada. The guest is Nevada mayor Carol Branham. She discusses the recent City Council work session that addressed the sewer rates. She also details the takeaways from the first reports of the Comprehensive Plan. Lastly, she reflects on the previous year with the Council with Election Day right around the corner. 

This episode is a special one for a lot of reasons: On March 10th, along with my cohost Jess Letaw, we did our first-ever live recording, and it was so much fun. We were joined by friend of the pod and Jess's frequent collaborator, Yodit Mesfin Johnson, and we were hosted by the University of Michigan's Ginsberg Center, surrounded by our neighbors from Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and the University. Many thanks to everyone who came out and everyone who helped make it possible.We talked about Ann Arbor's current comprehensive land use plan update and the process that got us there; Jess and Yodit's recent Liberated Land Use project, which they developed in direct response to the comprehensive plan process; and different ways for community members to get informed and get involved around local land use justice. If you missed this one, I think we're all pretty convinced we want to do it again, so you will have other chances. In the meantime, here's a recording of our first live episode. UpdateAnn Arbor City Council adopted the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan at their March 16, 2026 meeting.LinksLiberated Land Use series (YouTube / Audio)Justice InDeedFuture RootMovement Generation: Just TransitionSupport the showCome check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

In this episode of the APA podcast, Roberta Rewers, senior communications manager, explores the 2045 Unified Plan from Gwinnett County, Georgia, recipient of the Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan in the 2025 National Planning Awards. Joined by Yang Chen, Planning Division director at Gwinnett County, and Allison Stewart-Harris, lead consultant with TSW, they discuss how the plan reimagines suburban planning through a “mode-agnostic” approach to the 15-Minute City—prioritizing access to daily needs no matter how residents travel. Episode URL: https://www.planning.org/podcast/embracing-transformation-the-gwinnett-county-2045-unified-plan/

Daniel sits down with Greg Quetin, Chair of the Olympia Planning Commission, to talk about the city’s recently approved Comprehensive Plan and the role of the planning commission in guiding Olympia’s growth.

Step 2 in our Comprehensive Plan to Preparedness for 2026 will be discussing Basic Water Supply.  Learn how much water you will need, how to collect it, store it, and make sure it is safe to drink.  Stay on track with us and you will have a peace and calm in your life knowing you are ready!

We are going to run a series for someone starting at ground zero and bringing them up to a solid level of preparedness in 2026.  Taking prompts for the book Countdown to Preparedness by Jim Cobb, we will put our own spin on some basic concepts that everyone should understand to be ready for any situation! Thanks to our show sponsor CIVIL DEFENSE MANUAL by Jack Lawson.  Pick up your copy today!

Join us for this year's 2026 Southeast Regional Biblical Counseling Conference - Grace in Practice: Biblical Soul Care in the Local Church Continuing Education Unit (C.E.U's) are available for Biblical Counselors! Click here to find out more

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, February 6, discussing town news and events. She talked about the recent meeting of the town council, which saw an update on the town's comprehensive plan. She also talked about the council directing town staff to see if there are more support options for unhoused residents. She discussed some of the town's numerous Black History Month events, talked about the recently refreshed town website, and more. The post Carrboro: Comprehensive Plan, Black History, Refreshed Website appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

The city of Washougal is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on its Planning Commission, an advisory body that reviews development-related changes to the city's Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-washougal-seeks-applicants-for-planning-commission-vacancies/ #Washougal #PlanningCommission #CityGovernment #CommunityDevelopment #LocalPolitics

Today's edition is sponsored by the Ragged Mountain Running and Walking ShopWhen was the last time you played a musical instrument? When was the last time you recorded a song you wanted to write either for yourself or for others? In an attempt to change the tone of these introductory paragraphs of Charlottesville Community Engagement, I decide to look instead at this day in music.Two sources report that on January 22, 1959, Buddy Holly hit record on a machine and captured his final performances on a tape recorder, recordings that would later be posthumously produced professionally after his death in an aircraft crash on a snowy night. I'm Sean Tubbs, and more on that rabbit hole at the end of this edition.In this edition:* There is a vacancy on the Greene County Board of Supervisors as Francis McGuigan resigns* Albemarle and Charlottesville officials are preparing for a weekend storm expected this* The Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority will meet today the first time in 2026* Albemarle County promotes Amy Smith to be the next Parks and Recreation DirectorCharlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.First shout-out: Cville Village seeks volunteersCan you drive a neighbor to a doctor's appointment? Change an overhead lightbulb, plant a flower, walk a dog for someone who is sick, visit someone who is lonely? If so, Cville Village needs you!Cville Village is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization loosely affiliated with a national network of Villages whose goals are to help seniors stay in their own homes as long as possible, and to build connections among them that diminish social isolation. Volunteers do small chores for, and have gatherings of, professors and schoolteachers, nurses and lawyers, aides and housekeepers. Time and chance come to all – a fall, an order not to drive, failing eyesight, a sudden stroke. They assist folks continue living at home, with a little help from their friends.Cville Village volunteers consult software that shows them who has requested a service and where they are located. Volunteers accept only the requests that fit their schedule and their skills.Volunteering for Cville Village can expand your circle of friends and shower you with thanks.To learn more, visit cvillevillage.org or attend one of their monthly Village “meet-ups” and see for yourself. To find out where and when the next meetup is, or to get more information and a volunteer application, email us at info@cvillevillage.org, or call them at (434) 218-3727.McGuigan resigns from the Greene County Board of SupervisorsThe Greene County Board of Supervisors will once again need to fill a vacancy now that one of its members has resigned while in office.Francis McGuigan turned in his resignation as the at-large Supervisor today, just over two years after being elected in November 2023.“We would like to thank Supervisor McGuigan for his commitment to the community,” said Board Chairman Steve Catalano in an information release.On January 13, McGuigan had voted for Catalano to be chair during the annual organization meeting. Midway Representative Matt Hartung was not present for the vote but joined the meeting later.The release states Supervisors will discuss how to move forward with a replacement at their next meeting on January 27.In the fall of October 2023, former Supervisor Abby Heflin resigned as the Stanardsville representative and the Board accepted applications for a replacement. The person appointed was Steve Catalano.For more on this story, take a look at this story on the Piedmont Journal-Recorder.Area preparing for heavy winter stormA large winter storm is heading for the east coast this weekend and that's expected to leave a heavy accumulation of snow and ice. Preparations are underway by first responders and the Virginia Department of Transportation.Albemarle's Deputy County Executive, Trevor Henry, briefed the Board of Supervisors Wednesday night about what was known at that time.“We have through our emergency manager a process by which we spin up our planning efforts,” Henry said. “And so I wanted to just assure the board but also use this as a reminder to the community that they should be paying attention to this weekend.”Henry said any snow and ice that falls may continue to be a problem as the forecast is for temperatures to remain below freezing through the end of next week. He added public safety will be ready.“Police and fire are really looking at a Saturday morning to at least initially through Monday night,” Henry said. “That may be a longer operational period where there's going to be additional resources.”Henry said the county is asking residents to be prepared to be without power for up to three days. To that effect, the county set out a message this afternoon with information including a checklist for an emergency kit created by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.Soon afterward, the City of Charlottesville announced it has activated the Snow Operations Team with a description of their duty.“The City is responsible for winter operations across approximately 165 centerline miles of roadway, 49 miles of sidewalks (including Safe Routes to School and City-owned properties), more than 45 municipal and school parking lots, City parks facilities, and the Downtown Pedestrian Mall,” reads the message.The city has over 165 people working on snow operations as well as a sizable inventory of equipment including “25 dedicated snowplow trucks equipped with salt spreaders and brine tanks.”Roads will be pretreated with brine and crews will begin clearing snow when necessary.“Snow response follows a priority plan,” reads the message from the city. “Crews will begin with primary routes, including major corridors and roads critical for emergency response and transit service.”Emergency snow routes will also be in effect as of 9 a.m. Saturday. Anyone who parks along these corridors must move their vehicle or it may be towed.Designated Emergency Snow Routes include:* Market Street (Old Preston Avenue to 9th Street NE)* High Street (Preston Avenue to 9th Street NE)* Water Street (Ridge Street to 10th Street NE)* 2nd Street West (Market Street to Water Street)* 4th Street East (Market Street to Water Street)* West Main Street (Ridge Street to JPA)* University Avenue (JPA to Rugby Road)There will be free parking in the two municipal parking garages Friday, January 23 at 6:00 PM through Tuesday, January 27 at 8:00 AM.For the city's full list, click here.Thanks for reading Charlottesville Community Engagement ! This post is public so feel free to share it.Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority to meet todayIn late 2025, an entity known as the Regional Transit Partnership ended and transferred many of its duties to a recently created authority intended to promote greater cooperation and coordination between the area's multiple transit agencies.Today the Board of Directors of the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority will meet for the first time in 2026 at the Water Street Center. (CARTA website)The agenda for today's meeting looks much like an RTP agenda with opportunities for Jaunt, Charlottesville Area Transit, and University Transit Service representatives to tell what they're doing and how they fit into the bigger picture. So far, though, the only two voting members are Albemarle and Charlottesville.Scottsville Supervisor Michael Pruitt will be joined by newcomer Jack Jouett Supervisor Sally Duncan, and Charlottesville City Councilor Natalie Oschrin will be joined by newcomer Jen Fleisher. Fleisher has attended multiple meetings of the RTP as an alternative representing the Blue Ridge Health District.There are details on both Jaunt and the University Transit Service in the packet, but nothing from Charlottesville Area Transit.One of the main tasks for CARTA this year will be to conduct something called the “Regional Transit Service Prioritization and Implementation Feasibility Study” which builds off of the 2022 Regional Transit Vision Plan and the Regional Transit Governance Study from 2023.Not on the agenda is a discussion of how CARTA might be able to help increase funding for CAT's mission to hire a total of 108 drivers. That's the amount CAT Director Garland Williams says is needed to restore full service and make long-awaited route changes.Here's a story about that from December 2025 as well as a story from August in which a representative from IMPACT said the organization is watching. Patreon-fueled shout-out: Design DevelopArchitectural firm Design Develop is offering a new service aimed at the development community that the rest of us might want to know about , too — 3D point cloud scanning! This technique uses specialized equipment, such as 3D scanner systems, to gather a large amount of data points that represent the surface of the scanned object or scene. This really comes in handy when working with historic structures, as the firm knows from its experience in Baltimore and Charlottesville. Read their blog post for more information!The applications of 3D point cloud scanning are extensive and cover various fields, including architecture, construction, cultural heritage preservation, virtual reality, industrial design, manufacturing, and more. These applications require accurate 3D spatial information, and Design Develop's workflow provides precise and comprehensive results, all while being more cost-effective than traditional methods.Design Develop has expertise in this workflow for their own needs and now has a dedicated team offering this service in the Charlottesville and Albemarle Area. If you're involved in the real estate, design, or construction industry, contact them for more information or a free quote.Visit their website for an introductory video that captures the 3D point cloud scanning of the Downtown Transit Center and a booklet that will explain more!Albemarle promotes Smith to Parks and Recreation DirectorAfter a nationwide search, Albemarle County has named a veteran of the Parks and Recreation Department to lead the office after the retirement of former director Bob Crickenberger.“Our own Amy Smith, who has been the deputy director and, and has enjoyed a wonderful career serving Albemarle county, was our top candidate,” said County Executive Jeffrey Richardson.Smith will lead a department with a $5,584,028 budget for fiscal year 2026 and 27 full-time employees. Two objectives in the county's strategic plan address how parks can help reach Quality of Life Goals.These are:* 4.4 — Integrate parks planning with multi-modal transportation planning across the County* 4.5 — Enhance overall access to parks and recreational opportunities with an emphasis on urban neighborhoods.The FY26 budget also includes $1.5 million for work to pursue the latter objective through creation of a new urban pocket park on Hillsdale Drive as well as new amenities at Humphris Park.Soon after being announced, Smith explained her philosophy toward parks and recreation.“Our parks protect natural beauty, promote health and wellness, provide spaces for connection, and ensure that residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy the outdoors. I'm truly inspired by Albemarle's commitment to quality of life,” Smith said. “I plan to build upon the same foundation through increasing innovation, strategic management of resources, and furthering, uniting and empowering our dedicated Parks and Rec staff and our amazing community partners.”Smith began working for the county in 1993. Jack Jouett Supervisor Sally Duncan just joined the Board and said she was impressed by the time Smith has spent working for Albemarle.“I just think it's really great when we can retain people and have people, you know, build their careers here and have longevity,” Duncan said.Supervisor Ann Mallek is in her fifth term representing the White Hall District and said Smith has helped oversee and manage many of the parks that have come on line in the past two decades and will now work to bring many more that are planned into reality.“So many things on your plate with the blueways and Buck Island and the Brook Hill ramp and such a long, long list because there's so many places that you already manage,” Mallek said.The blueways are a series of amenities allowing people to use area rivers and streams for recreational purposes. As part of this effort, the county opened Brook Hill River Park on Rio Mills Road in the summer of 2019 and there are plans to develop a park at Buck Island 17 miles down the Rivanna River.Smith helped lead a parks and recreation needs assessment for Albemarle in 2018 and creation of a parks strategic plan. Much of that is now within the Parks and Recreation Chapter of AC44, the name the county called their Comprehensive Plan. This link will take you right there.There's also the recreation side of the department which provides many ways for people to interact with each other. Richardson said the intent is to overcome obstacles as they pop up.“When our middle school volleyball league registrations opened across Albemarle County, there was a rush of families signing up their students for this program,” Richardson said. “Henley was, was completely full within three minutes. Lakeside was full within 30 minutes.”Richardson said there were many calls from people who were disappointed they missed out but the department showed flexibility in the name of customer service.“So what the Parks and Rec department did was step back, reformatted the league and they expanded capacity, ultimately registering 400 participants across all the schools,” Richardson said. “And that eliminated the wait list.”For more on how to provide feedback on the new Hillsdale pocket park as well as Humprhis Park, visit engagealbemarle.org.Articles by other journalists you are encouraged to read next:* When Virginia GOP senator's solar farm stalled, the Youngkin admin got involved, Ben Paviour, Virginia Mercury, January 13, 2026* ICE detains 5-year-old Minnesota boy; school leader says agents used him as ‘bait', Elizabeth Shockman, MPR News, January 21, 2026* Va. lawmakers want voters to take a 180-degree turn on redistricting; some reform advocates are wary, David Poole, Virginia Mercury, January 22, 2026* Winter road salting is a growing source of pollution [and] Virginia officials want alternatives, Katherine Hafner, WHRO, January 22, 2026#989 is an echo from the pastA thing I keep to myself is a long history of relaxing through challenging myself to recording improvisational music. At one point I wanted to be in a band, but I've always been way too guarded to do such things. Or at least, not willing to put in the time.Yet I've recorded many hours of my attempts at songs over the years and I find the experience of expressing myself through musical creation helps me fill out a lot of the rough spots in my life. I made a decision a long time ago to keep all of that to myself, but I'm also aware of my mortality more than usual.So I had this idea to begin to put some of my sound recordings on Patreon as part of that system. After all, my hope is to soon have a mechanism people can use to make tax-deductible contributions for the reporting.This is still just an idea crafted at a time where I'm paying a lot of attention to where I was at this time in 2011. I was not quite four years into my time at Charlottesville Tomorrow and I was very uncertain about what I wanted to do. I am interested in what I was singing at that time for reasons I'll explore over on Patreon if I decide to go ahead with this side project.Oh yeah, also somehow this edition is a podcast, too. Not sure how that happened.And now, probably the weirdest video I've posted yet which is still germane somehow. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Could the Board of Peace, along with points 19 and 20 of President Trump's 20-point plan titled “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” potentially set the stage for an Israel-Palestinian deal? We'll analyze the prophetic implications of the new Board of Peace on this edition of the Endtime Show! ⭐️: True Gold Republic: Get The Endtime Show special on precious metals at https://www.endtimegold.com📱: It's never been easier to understand. Stream Only Source Network and access exclusive content: https://watch.osn.tv/browse📚: Check out Jerusalem Prophecy College Online for less than $60 per course: https://jerusalemprophecycollege.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark County officials will hold a joint hearing on Jan. 8 to gather public testimony on a preferred land use alternative as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update, which guides growth and development for the next 20 years. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-council-planning-commission-to-hold-joint-hearing-on-preferred-land-alternative-for-comprehensive-plan-update/ #ClarkCounty #ComprehensivePlan #LandUse #PublicHearing #GrowthManagement

A lot has changed during Sara Nelson’s time in Seattle government. She was a centrist outlier on a progressive city council when she was first elected in 2021. But the dynamics changed: Nelson became the center of power, and ended up running the show as council president, after a moderate slate of candidates swept the 2023 election. She helped oversee pandemic-era recovery, worked with two different mayoral administrations and two very different presidential administrations during her time on the council. Now - her time in office is coming to an end. Next month, there will be a new, more progressive representative in the citywide Position 9 seat that Nelson’s held the past four years. Nonprofit leader Dionne Foster will take Nelson’s place after winning by a wide margin of votes in November. Between passing a police contract, approving phase one of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, and putting forward a bill to change how consultants work with the city – Nelson has been busy during her last month in office. And last week she spent an hour with Soundside to reflect on her tenure and the direction Seattle politics is moving. GUESTS: Sara Nelson, outgoing position 9 Seattle City Councilmember and City Council President RELATED LINKS: Seattle passes new transparency law aimed at political consultants - Seattle Times New Seattle Police contract includes pay boost, increased use of unarmed crisis responders - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss historic regional flooding and its impact on Seattle City Light, a vote on the Comprehensive Plan for urban growth that may take some new turns in 2026, the city's expected push for new revenue sources in the new year, an ever-changing funding plan for homeless services, and a look at the top headlines of 2025--all recorded at a patrons-appreciation event at City Grind Espresso. If you like this podcast, become a patrons and please support it on Patreon!

Galva Mayor Rich Volkert joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss the tax levy, comprehensive plan, snow removal, winter street parking, and the Ol' Fashioned Christmas event. Mayor Rich Volkert recapped Monday's city council meeting, highlighting the approval of a lowered tax levy ordinance—though changes in property assessments could still impact homeowners' bills. The council also adopted an updated comprehensive plan, paving the way for future grants and downtown revitalization. Mayor Volkert addressed snow removal challenges, urging residents to move their cars for effective plowing as winter weather persists. He mentioned a water main leak that the city is working to fix. The rescheduled old-fashioned Christmas celebration will proceed this weekend, featuring rides, lighting, and local business participation. Volunteers have been setting up the decorations despite wintry conditions. The minimum bid for the old Lord Chevrolet building is $24,000.

Pittsburgh officials agreed to pay $6 million last year to make a master plan — a blueprint for how the city should grow and improve over the next 25 years. But now many months in, City Council and some community leaders say the contractor responsible for gathering ideas didn't do enough. Should we have gotten more bang for our buck? And if Council quits now, how much money can we get back? Post-Gazette reporter Hallie Lauer joins host Megan Harris to explain why the expensive plan might stall out and how you can still get involved. Learn more about Pittsburgh's 2050 Comprehensive Plan and share your input here. Learn more about the sponsors of this December 2nd episode: AIDS Free Pittsburgh The Frick Pittsburgh Honeygirls Wraphaus Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We're on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

What exactly is a Comprehensive Plan, and why is it so important for Orleans' future? In this episode, host Amanda Converse talks with Planning and Community Development Director George Meservey, Planning Board Chair John Ostman, and Sharon Rooney of Tighe & Bond about the new Orleans 2050 Comprehensive Plan.They break down what the plan is (and isn't), why every Cape Cod community needs one under the Cape Cod Commission framework, and how the plan guides long-term decisions around housing, land use, infrastructure, the environment, and economic vitality.Review and comment on the plan here: https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/325/Orleans-Comprehensive-Plan

Alpharetta’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Why It Matters (North Fulton Voices, Episode 14) On this edition of North Fulton Voices, hosts Jack Murphy and Nancy Diamond sit down with Benjamin "Ben" Kern of MKSK Studios and Michael Woodman, Planning and Development Services Manager for the City of Alpharetta, to unpack Alpharetta's 2045 Comprehensive Plan. This conversation […]

Clark County has released its agricultural lands study as part of the comprehensive plan update. The study, prepared by ECONorthwest, reviews rural and agricultural areas to guide future growth planning. It will be presented during a public council work session on Nov. 12. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-releases-agricultural-lands-study-as-part-of-the-comprehensive-plan-update/ #ClarkCounty #Agriculture #ComprehensivePlan #GrowthManagementAct #CommunityPlanning #PublicMeeting #LandUse #LocalGovernment #ClarkCountyCouncil #EnvironmentalPlanning

Elizabeth Erickson: Bellingham Comprehensive Plan 2025 by KGMI News/Talk 790

For this October 24, 2025 podcast edition, there are two anecdotes from sporting history worth noting. For one, Sheffield F.C. began operations on this day in 1857. Though they are in the eighth league from the top of English football, they're the oldest professional club still in operation. Flash forward to 1992 when the Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian team to win the world series? Will they do so again this time around? A reminder, Charlottesville Community Engagement is not a sportscast. I'm Sean Tubbs, still wanting to see relegation in baseball.In the latest sonic edition:* Charlottesville agrees to settle zoning lawsuit while others call for reform (read the story)* Civil rights pioneer Eugene Williams dies at the age of 97 (read the story)* Vacancy on Charlottesville Planning Commission after Stolzenberg resignation (read the story)* Charlottesville Police Civilian Review Board can once again meet quorum (read the story)* Sanders updates Council on work plan, potential of subsidizing rents at Kindlewood (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors adopt Comprehensive Plan update (read the story)Shout-out: JackFest takes place this Sunday!In today's first subscriber-supported shout-out: Looking for a free fall event for your family that will help raise money for cancer treatments for patients at UVA's Children's Hospital? Mark your calendar for October 26 and JackFest at Foxfield in Albemarle County.The free event is named for Jack Callahan, a boy who beat back metastatic cancer after a 13-month course of intensive treatments in 2019 and 2020. JackFest raises funds for Ronald McDonald House to support families who need assistance while other treatments are underway as well as. Events include:* Kids' running races and family relays including a Superhero Dash, Cross Country races for Elementary and Middle Schoolers and a Child-Parent Relay Race* Family activities such as an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, and slides; a petting zoo, and a truck touch with emergency vehicles* Adult and kid food options - including food trucks - and local beer & wineThe running races require registration and a fee. People can sign up for races at the JackFest website.Second shout-out: Piedmont Master GardenersDo you enjoy sharing your passion for gardening with others?The Piedmont Master Gardeners are now accepting applications for the 2026 training class for Master Gardeners serving Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Applications are due by December 1, 2025.The in-person class will meet weekly from February through April. Learn more and find the application at the Piedmont Master Gardeners' website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Four plans in one. Jason Zawila, Planning Manager at the Village of Downers Grove, Illinois and John Houseal, Partner at Houseal Lavigne joined the podcast to discuss the APA Award-Winning Village of Downers Grove Comprehensive Plan update. They discussed the concept of total community development and how the effort updated four plans at the same time, the Village's Comprehensive Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Environmental Sustainability Plan, and Downtown and Fairview Streetscapes Plan. They also talked about how the community was engaged during the process. This episode was recorded at the American Planning Association – Illinois Chapter 2025 Annual Conference. Host: Dan Bolin and Andy Cross

The calendar now reads 10-10, which is CB Code for Standing By. That's how Charlottesville Community Engagement remains most of the time, waiting to report whatever it is that a one-person information outlet can put together for a growing number of subscribers. The goal is to produce one audio version a week, and this is that. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I began my professional career in public radio thirty-years ago and somehow I'm still doing this thanks to over 800 paid subscribers. Join them so I can plan for the next thirty years!In this installment:* Albemarle's next Comprehensive Plan passes through Planning Commission (read the story)* AstraZeneca will invest $4.5 billion in next-generation pharmaceutical plant at Albemarle County's Rivanna Futures site (read the story)* Council holds first reading on use of $7.95 million in surplus funds (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council briefed on financial headwinds at annual retreat (read the story)* City Council agrees to two leases for agricultural use (read the story)* Deputy City Manager Freas addresses pedestrian fatality on Emmet Street (read the story)* City Manager Sanders hires an assistant (read the story) NEED TO PRODUCESponsored message: Learn to Pitch with Denise Stewart Coaching on October 18Are you a professional who wants to sharpen your message, elevate your delivery, and have your audience walk away with a clear, powerful version of a pitch/speech/story? TedX coach Denise Stewart is holding a one-day, hands-on speaking intensive called Pitch! - Master the Speech that Matters! This will be at Studio IX on October 18.And readers of Charlottesville Community Engagement get a discounted price of $199 down from $250. There's also a Buy One Get One Free offer if you have someone you'd like attend with. Enter the promo code CCE when you sign up at EventBrite! (sign up) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the comprehensive plan from the U.S. to end the Gaza conflict, the game of government shutdown, the role of media in the government shutdown, and a muslim's response to Erika Kirk's amazing gospel clarity at Charlie Kirk's funeral.Part I (00:14 – 11:20)The Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict: President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu Announce Plan to End Gaza Conflict – What Will Hamas Do?Part II (11:20 – 19:12)The Game of Government Shutdown: This is a Clean Proposal – Republicans are Handling This Much Better Than DemocratsPart III (19:12 – 21:06)The Role of the Media in the Government Shutdown: The New Media Reality Demands This Story Be Given More Airtime Than It DeservesPart IV (21:06 – 28:13)A Muslim Wrestles with Amazing Gospel Clarity from Erika Kirk: The World is Struggling to Understand the Offer of Forgiveness for Such a Heinous Act, But That is the GospelTwo versions of Christianity battle for America's soul by The Washington Post (Shadi Hamid)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Stamford's Planning Board is set to vote on a contentious “2035 Comprehensive Plan of Conservation and Development,” the city's master plan for the next ten years. Many are concerned about adding more residential density in neighborhoods already overwhelmed by massive growth. We asked Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons to give more details on the proposal and whether this is basically a local “8-30g plan” for the city. For more information on the 2035 plan: https://www.stamfordct.gov/government/operations/stamford-2035-comprehensive-plan Image Credit: Getty Images

War Room White House Releases “Comprehensive Plan” to End Israel-Hamas War, Trump Says EVERYONE Has Accepted Gaza Peace Deal, Sends Warning if Hamas Doesn't

We have reached the end of another week here at Charlottesville Community Engagement and all that is left to do is put together an audio version using the stories already told. Listening might become habit-forming if you have an interest in discussions about the future, and if you want to spot the mistakes. Is this the one where I leave in the curse words? Tune in!If not, this edition also serves as a way to remind you of some of the stories this week.In this edition:* Albemarle Planning Commission takes a look at the county's draft Comprehensive Plan (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors discuss 2025 build-out analysis (read the story)* Albemarle PC recommends approval of new rule to allow taller buildings in industrial districts (read the story)* Manning Institute of Biotechnology director outlines hope for creating new medicine (read the story on C-Ville Weekly)* Charlottesville poised to appropriate fourth state grant for flood preparation (learn more)Sponsored message: Westwind FlowersAt Westwind Flowers the Dahlia fields are in full bloom with a stunning array of colors and varieties that only this season can offer.You're invited to experience it for yourself on September 27th and October 4th during their Dahlia U-Pick events at their farm, located on the historic grounds of James Madison's Montpelier. It's a chance to stroll through the fields, cut your own flowers, and soak in the beauty of the season—a flower lover's dream come true!Can't make it to their Dahlia U-Pick event? They can bring the season to you! Order your locally grown, freshly harvested bouquets today, available for pickup at their Gordonsville floral studio or delivered straight to your home, your office, or someone special.Westwind Flowers offers sustainably grown, thoughtfully curated cut flowers, perfectly suited to the season and the special moments in your life. They believe the blooms in your vase should be just as fresh, and just as local, as the food on your table.To register for a Dahlia U-Pick, order seasonal flowers, or learn more, visit westwindflowers.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

After a few marathon public comment sessions last week, the Seattle City Council is considering the final version of a comprehensive plan. This is the document that dictates where and how the city will grow over the next two decades. Over the last week, balancing tree canopy with growth emerged as one of the most controversial issues in the plan. And there’s a history here: In 2023, Mayor Harrell and the Seattle City Council passed a so-called tree protection ordinance that would limit the amount of trees developers could cut down while building new housing. But, according to tree-canopy advocates, two years since the law went into effect tree-cutting has only increased. Just in August an average of 73 trees were being cut down each week. So what went wrong? Or – is the law working exactly as intended? Guest: Robert McClure is a journalist and co-founder of InvestigateWest Related stories: Developers’ tree-cutting pace surges under contested Seattle tree protection ordinance - InvestigateWest Seattle claims to ‘protect’ hundreds of trees that were never threatened - InvestigateWest Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss Mayor Harrell's newly-proposed $8.9B budget, the importance of a 0.1% sales tax hike to this year's budget, a small step forward for Seattle's Comprehensive Plan for urban growth, a new Community Safety Initiative report, some changing mayoral endorsements, and more. If you like this podcast, please support it on Patreon!

How will Seattle grow over the next two decades? The city’s roadmap for density took a big step forward on Friday, when a city council committee approved the Comprehensive Plan. It creates 30 neighborhood centers where denser housing could be built. We talk with Seattle Times reporter David Kroman about what it means for the future of housing in Seattle. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback onlineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the new fundraising numbers in the Seattle mayor's race--and the new battle lines drawn between the candidates, the fight between trees and density in the Comprehensive Plan rezoning process, a review of Seattle's historic budget highs and lows, and a look at an alarming trend with e-scooters and bikes. If you like this podcast, please support it on Patreon!

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with The Stranger news editor Vivian McCall, KUOW politics editor Cat Smith, and Seattle Times editorial writer and columnist Alex Fryer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode we're back to Northampton County, North Carolina, where a quiet but critical debate is heating up over the future of farmland and solar energy.On April 7, 2025, community advocates Sylvia Vincent, Debbie Davis, and Alfred Kwasikpui presented a powerful case to the Northampton County Commissioners. Their message? That insufficient limits on solar farm expansion are threatening the county's agricultural heritage, local economy, and environmental health, contradicting the very goals laid out in the Northampton County 2040 Comprehensive Plan.Northampton County leads the state in peanut production and is second in cotton. Agriculture isn't just a way of life here, it's the backbone of the economy. But with over a dozen large-scale solar farms already operating or approved and more on the way, residents are sounding the alarm about lost farmland, pressured landowners, and long-term environmental concerns. Not to mention, most of these solar farms are going to power large scale data centers like Facebook, not even benefiting the local community.In today's episode, we'll unpack:The clash between renewable energy development and farmland preservationConcerns over land use, decommissioning, and soil restorationThe role of industry influence and the need for independent oversightAnd, most importantly, what this means for rural communities across the U.S.This is a conversation about balance, how we embrace clean energy without sacrificing the communities and landscapes that feed us. So, let's explore the voices, facts, and stakes behind the push for responsible solar farm limits in Northampton County.I split this episode into two parts, since it was so long. So make sure to come back in two weeks for part two. Contact and connect: vincentsy@northampton.k12.nc.us, chemdeb@embarqmail.com, aw6kwas@gmail.com Northampton County Against Solar Farms: https://abc11.com/sun-solar-panels-energy/1122081/ https://www.personalized.energy/blog/northampton-implements-temporary-ban-on-solar-farms/#:~:text=In%20response%20to%20the%20public,the%20scope%20of%20their%20authority.

In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz Fiedler Mergan discusses the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, particularly in Stearns County, Minnesota and the Stearns County Comprehensive Plan for 2040 that has a focus on agriculture. She explores the balance between growth and preservation, the importance of supporting small farmers, and the role of agritourism and value-added agriculture in sustaining rural economies. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional growth that benefits both the agricultural sector and the community as a whole.TakeawaysWhat kind of growth do we want in our rural communities?Stearns County is experiencing rapid growth and urban sprawl.Change is inevitable, and we must remain curious about it.The Stearns County 2040 Comprehensive Plan addresses agricultural sustainability.Support for small farmers is crucial for rural economies.Value-added agriculture can provide multiple income streams.Agritourism helps reconnect consumers with agriculture.The interconnected pillars of rural development include agriculture, living, business, connectivity, and nature.Intentional growth can support small businesses and generational farming.Community involvement is essential in shaping the future of rural areas.Helpful Links:Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/authorConsult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-productsFarmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkoutPeddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPQuickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

Today's episode takes us to Northampton County, North Carolina, where a quiet but critical debate is heating up over the future of farmland and solar energy.On April 7, 2025, community advocates Sylvia Vincent, Debbie Davis, and Alfred Kwasikpui presented a powerful case to the Northampton County Commissioners. Their message? That insufficient limits on solar farm expansion are threatening the county's agricultural heritage, local economy, and environmental health, contradicting the very goals laid out in the Northampton County 2040 Comprehensive Plan.Northampton County leads the state in peanut production and is second in cotton. Agriculture isn't just a way of life here, it's the backbone of the economy. But with over a dozen large-scale solar farms already operating or approved and more on the way, residents are sounding the alarm about lost farmland, pressured landowners, and long-term environmental concerns. Not to mention, most of these solar farms are going to power large scale data centers like Facebook, not even benefiting the local community.In today's episode, we'll unpack:The clash between renewable energy development and farmland preservationConcerns over land use, decommissioning, and soil restorationThe role of industry influence and the need for independent oversightAnd, most importantly, what this means for rural communities across the U.S.This is a conversation about balance, how we embrace clean energy without sacrificing the communities and landscapes that feed us. So, let's explore the voices, facts, and stakes behind the push for responsible solar farm limits in Northampton County.I split this episode into two parts, since it was so long. So make sure to come back in two weeks for part two. Contact and connect: vincentsy@northampton.k12.nc.us, chemdeb@embarqmail.com, aw6kwas@gmail.com Northampton County Against Solar Farms: https://abc11.com/sun-solar-panels-energy/1122081/ https://www.personalized.energy/blog/northampton-implements-temporary-ban-on-solar-farms/#:~:text=In%20response%20to%20the%20public,the%20scope%20of%20their%20authority.

As a student-athlete, she lettered in basketball and track, including having been All-District in basketball in her junior year. Present day she enjoys swimming, walking, jogging, dancing, and basketball. On the faith side, she is an author, Catholic Coach, and speaker, and has a story about having met Mother Teresa, which we shares during this interview. Her current writing projects include "Pray With Us: A Saint for Every Day," "The 3 Works of Reparation: God's Divine Mercy for Our Times," as well as making a Catholic edition of her book, "My Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Workbook: Creating a Comprehensive Plan for a Calm, Ordered Life, 2nd Edition," which contains information and planning for exercise in all forms including setting goals for sports and sports teams.