The Design Lansing Comprehensive Plan is now available in draft form. This plan reflects the consensus vision of hundreds of people who hosted or attended meetings, completed surveys, reviewed maps, and made suggestions for the betterment of the City. The plan, in draft form, is moving through the process of adoption. Click on the links below to download the documents.
Lansing 2011 Master Plan Draft 5/16/2011 (low resolution pdf)
Lansing 2011 Master Plan Draft 5/16/2011 (high resolution pdf)
You are welcome to comment on the Plan at a Planning Board public hearing on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. This hearing is the culmination of a planning process that involved dozens of meetings to receive comments and suggestions from the public. If you are interested in attending, click here for details.
The Planning Board is considering the adoption of the Design Lansing Plan, and will continue to do so at each of its meetings until the Plan is adopted. Public comment is invited at each and every Planning Board meeting.
Download our newsletters here!
#1 - October 27, 2009
#2 - December 4, 2009
#3 - December 23, 2009
#4 - January 13, 2010
#5 - January 28, 2010
#6 - February 16, 2010
#7 - February 26, 2010
#8 - April 19, 2010
#9 - May 18, 2010
#10 - June 30, 2010
#11 - June 23, 2011
Click Planning Documents to view previous master plans and planning documents that were consulted during the Design Lansing Comprehensive Plan process.
What else is going on around Lansing...
Tri-County Regional Planning Office completed the Regional Growth Project in 2005, two implementation activities based on it can be found here:
http://www.mitcrpc.org/pdfs/Growth%20Project%20Summary.pdf
http://www.greaterlansingurbanservice.org/
Michigan Trais & Greenway Alliance "Heart of Michigan Trails Project"
http://www.michigantrails.org/projects/heart-of-michigan-trails/
Greater Lansing Next
is a regional plan for strategic growth that lays out the priorities for action necessary for a better economic future and improved quality of life in our region.
http://greaterlansingnext.com
A collaborative Culture Economic Development Plan for Greater Lansing’s Urban Center.
http://www.lansingmi.gov/Lansing/pnd/planning/CulturalEconomicDevelopmentPlan.pdf
Lansing Parks & Rec Master Plan
http://www.cityoflansingmi.com/parks/index.jsp
CATA Transportation Study
www.MiGRTrans.org
Design Lansing Phase IV
During the spring and summer, the Planning and Neighborhood Development Department and the consulting team JJR has compiled the notes from the dozens of public meetings held over the past 18 months, plus other supporting data to create the Draft Plan. The Draft Plan was printed on May 16, 2011, and placed on this website shortly thereafter.
The Plan has been presented to the Planning Board, and reviewed at public meetings on August 2, September 6, October 4, and October 18. After its public hearing on November 9, the Planning Board will consider adoption of the Plan. After the Board adopts the Plan, it will be transmitted to the Mayor for City Council consideration and final adoption.
This is a long process, and we are thankful for all of you who stuck with us throughout the duration.
Concepts For Change
Through our public engagement sessions during the Design Lansing Master Planning process, we have heard from many people who not only have ideas of what they do and do not like about the physical conditions in Lansing, but also about the “culture” of Lansing. Most people agree that there is much to like about the residents here, but wish our community was more open to change.
A willingness to embrace change involves taking risks, but there are ways to mitigate those risks; the best is to get involved in the process! A large part of the Design Lansing Master Planning has been in engaging the public. We hope through these efforts that the community will feel comfortable with the concepts for change that have been proposed in our plan, and support us as the process moves forward.
Another way to ease the fear of change is to stay informed. We have posted all of the presentations and notes on our website to help keep this process open and available to the public: www.designlansing.net. It will be important as we enter the final phase of this process that anyone who has questions about what is in our plan be able to easily access the materials. We also plan to have printed copies of the Draft Plan here at the office for anyone to stop in and review.
And finally, we encourage all of our partners out in the community to engage their friends, neighbors, and co-workers in positive conversations about the potential we have here in the City. A positive attitude can be contagious, spread some around!
“We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.”
~ Sandra Day O'Connor
Planning Vocabulary:
CORES AND CONNECTORS:
A strategy for strengthening Traditional Business Areas by concentrating retail uses in mixed-use cores to create shopping destinations linked by connectors of higher density housing and residentially scaled office that increase the population density within walking distance of the core(s).
What We Learned From You…
The big ideas that describe the vision that guided the planning effort and shaped the objectives, strategies, and policy recommendations.
Livability:
- Enhance and beautify the physical appearance of the community.
- Provide amenities that support healthy lifestyle that are accessible to all.
- Encourage urban gardens and other ecological activities in the city.
- Nurture strong education systems.
- Support vibrant cultural amenities.
Community Building:
- Implement strategies to strengthen and preserve our neighborhoods.
- Develop a culture of progress, respect, and openness to change, with an eye towards a better Lansing!
- In partnership with other agencies, participate or lead in efforts to develop better life skills for all citizens.
Stewardship:
- Promote Lansing’s achievements and successes.
- Market our assets vigorously.
- Build citizen capacity for community leadership.
- Encourage a sense of ownership and pride in Lansing citizens and property owners.
- Encourage reinvestment in Lansing’s assets, both private and public.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or other time. We are the ones we are waiting for."
~ Barack Obama
Public Participation Makes For Good Planning
Thank you to all of you who came out to one of our Design Lansing events, your participation has been so valuable to this process! Special Thanks to everyone who braved the weather to get to our January and February Meetings - we know it isn’t always easy to come out on a cold winter night when there are so many demands on people’s time. Next step in the process is the consultants and staff will be bringing all of the elements together and putting together the Draft Plan. This Draft Plan will be presented to the public for comment in late spring. We are planning to make viewing the Draft as easy as possible in hopes of bringing as many citizens into the process as possible. Stay tuned!
"If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic.
If you plan for people and places, you get people and places."
~ Fred Kent
How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count The Ways!
The things that people like about Lansing:
- Parks: All parks! Rivertrail, Zoo, and Hawk Island were the most frequently mentioned.
- Convenience: Short commutes, and lots to do nearby!
- Historic Architecture: We love the Capitol, old churches, old houses, and those beautiful little BWL pumping stations around town!
- Our Neighborhoods: We love the sense of community our neighborhoods provide.
A Tale of Two Cities?
As we have had conversations about Lansing around town, one thing that has become obvious is Lansing is like two cities in one! Many people we talk to love their neighborhood. Those who live in one part of town, typically appreciate the "small town" feel or the wide lots and curving streets and suburban character in their area. Those from an older neighborhood like the urban characteristics of houses on small lots and the walkable convenience. What our planning will address is not how to make the two more alike, but how to make each better, while creating a cohesive community.
The current conditions tell us that past practices are not sustainable and we need to be more thoughtful in how we move toward becoming an appealing viable 21st century city. The success of Lansing will ride on the ability of our citizens and leaders to guide us through the coming changes, with creativity and flexibility.
What’s in a Name?
“The term green infrastructure was selected to emphasize its difference from traditional conservation practices and the need to change several popular perceptions about green space planning and protection. Where-as green space is often viewed as something that is nice to have, the term green infrastructure implies something that we must have. Protecting and restoring our nation’s natural life support system is a necessity, not an amenity.
- Where-as green space is often thought of as isolated parks, recreation sites or natural areas, the term green infrastructure emphasizes interconnected systems of natural areas and other open spaces that are protected and managed for the ecological benefits they provide to people and the environment.
- Where-as green space is often viewed as self-sustaining, the term green infrastructure implies something that must be actively maintained and at times restored.”
From:
Green Infrastructure:
Smart Conservation for the 21st Century
Mark A. Benedict, Ph.D.
Edward T. McMahon, J.D.
www.sprawlwatch.org
“Successful City Planning: Public action that generates a desirable,
widespread and sustained private market reaction.”
~ Alexander Garvin
Design Lansing Survey Results:
When we look at the things people like most about Lansing, one frequent theme is "Lansing is a small town with a big city feel". Although Lansing is a city of a little over 100,000 residents, small as cities go, it has colleges, state government, several major corporations and institutions that insure we have amenities (theater, sports, arts, bookstores, music, restaurants) and services (health care, travel options, shopping choices) beyond what is usually available in a city this size.
This is not just perception. Marketing data indicates the mid-Michigan area in general has a fairly high level of demand for, and support of, such amenities and services. Just sometimes it's not as high as we hope it might be. Effective planning identifies and builds on such strengths.
Place Making
Creating a sense of place means taking advantage of an area’s unique features and attributes and highlighting local histories and traditions. Cultural amenities, memorable natural areas, dynamic urban centers, and vibrant neighborhoods all contribute towards strengthening a city’s identity and sense of place. Enhancing these features can help a city to further stand out among its peers and continue to attract the businesses and diverse populations that are vital for long-term prosperity.
- Creating a visually rich atmosphere
- Building economic opportunities
- Fostering a healthy environment
- Serving a diverse range of people and lifestyles
Planning Vocabulary:
Sustainable:
Goods and practices that meet today’s needs without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainable activities consider economic, societal, and environmental implications.
