The graphic provided by MKSK depicts the six “components” the consulting firm follows when creating a comprehensive plan. They include process preparation, baseline research, community outreach and engagement campaign, focused analysis, plan development and finalization and adoption.
(Graphic submitted)
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Jerome Township officials are narrowing in on who will lead efforts to plan the future of the area.
During a special meeting recently, the board of trustees heard from two consulting firms that responded to a request for proposals from the township regarding the development of a new comprehensive plan.
The comprehensive plan will detail the vision for the future of the township, including land use, though it is separate from the zoning code. The township’s current comprehensive plan was adopted in 2008.
The finalists being considered by the trustees are MS Consultants, Inc. and MKSK, both of which are based in central Ohio.
While the cost for each consultant and their overall process are comparable ($130,000-$157,000), planners from MS Consultants and MKSK each pitched to the trustees what sets them apart.
The trustees first heard from Shannon Fergus of MS Consultants.
She said her firm is unique in that they ensure every recommendation included in their comprehensive plan will be attainable for the township – not just an aspirational objective.
“We do not plan to plan,” Fergus said. “We plan to implement.”
Fergus explained that MS Consultants follows a five-phase process to create a comprehensive plan.
Phase One, “preparation,” includes a kick-off meeting and creation of a project website.
Fergus said “branding” the planning process is a large aspect of MS Consultant’s approach. She said efforts to create a comprehensive plan will have a logo and website, which makes it more recognizable to the community and creates a path for them to get involved.
At this point, a steering committee will also be formed. This group of individuals will provide input and help planners to develop a comprehensive plan appropriate for Jerome Township.
The group will meet throughout the entire process. Fergus said MS Consultants is unique in that they create “workbooks” for committee members to complete, along with attending meetings.
Phase Two, “strategic analysis,” results in an “existing conditions report” that includes a variety of information ranging from census data to roads reports.
Public engagement will occur during Phase Three.
Fergus said MS Consultants works to creatively engage with community members, whether that is in-person or online. She said planners will often attend local events and chat with residents to solicit their feedback.
“We like to meet people where they’re at,” she said.
From there, Phase Four, “idea generation,” and Phase Five, “finalization,” will use information gathered from the public to inform a final comprehensive plan, including a land use map.
The consulting firm will partner with Burton Planning Services, which includes planners who live in the township and who previously worked with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), to help inform the land use map.
Fergus said MS Consultants expect the entire process to take 12 months and cost $130,000.
She noted that the scope of work would include a master parks and trails plan.
In his presentation to the board, Kyle May of MKSK said his firm uses a “six-component” approach.
He called the first component “process preparation,” which will be followed by “baseline research.”
May emphasized the third component, “community engagement,” as one that will span much of the process.
He said planners with MKSK will find unique ways to reach a variety of community members that represent different sectors of the community.
“Everyone feels like they have a chance and a choice to participate in this work,” he said.
A steering committee of core individuals will act as the building block for participation, then MKSK will ask them to spread the word to their networks to get other community members involved, May explained.
While May said MKSK has done planning in a township context and knows “legally and culturally” how to engage with similar communities, he said public engagement efforts will be tailored to Jerome’s “unique DNA.”
For example, Chris Hermann, principal with MKSK, said steering committee members hosted “community coffees” in their homes while MKSK guided the creation of New Albany’s comprehensive plan.
Using continual feedback, May said the fourth and fifth components of the process will be “focused analysis” and “plan development.”
Ultimately, he said the comprehensive plan should create a “triad” between land use, character and opportunity.
The sixth component would be finalization and adoption of the plan.
He said MKSK wants to develop a long-term relationship with Jerome Township to assist with implementation, beyond just creation, of the comprehensive plan.
May said he understands that “change is scary,” so the goal is to create a plan that gives the community a clear vision that outlives future rounds of leadership.
“You really want to have a strong argument of who you are and who you want to become, right now in central Ohio,” May said.
MKSK’s proposal listed a cost of $157,000, including $2,500 in “reimbursable expenses.”
In response to a question from Trustee Barry Adler, Hermann said a scope of service and timeline would be created during the “process preparation” phase.
Trustee Chair Wezlynn Davis noted that fellow Board member Megan Sloat was not present at the meeting due to a family emergency, but viewed recordings of the presentations from each consultant.
Davis said the full board hopes to make a final decision on which consultant will be selected during the next regular trustees meeting on Feb. 7.