The public played a significant role in the development of a document mapping out Wilmington’s future. This week it had a chance to see how well a steering committee represented ideas — and to add new comments — at drop-in sessions downtown and at the Northeast Regional Library.
The 200-page document is the product of two years of discussions that included extensive efforts to solicit comments from residents in all parts of the city. Instead of a top-down approach, in which the people only get a chance to weigh in once officials have put together a proposal, the concept was to hear what residents want to see in their city years down the road.
A steering committee drafted a comprehensive plan and proposed policies from a list of priorities expressed at those public meetings — such as environmental protection, economic growth, development in keeping with the character of the community, traffic management and transportation, recreation and other quality-of-life issues.
Tuesday, May 12, residents had another opportunity to offer their observations on the finished draft. City resident Lynn McIntyre was among the first group to drop by, and she promptly placed a red sticker under the “thumbs down” category by the display about proposed downtown priorities. She has no use for the bars and restaurants that come and go and businesses that plaster their windows with flyers.
She said she’d rather see “more genteel” businesses recruited.
Paul Lawler, a steering committee member and former president of Residents of Old Wilmington, disagreed, noting new retail shops, upscale restaurants and other businesses have located or are locating downtown. New and future tenants include a men’s store, a women’s sportswear shop, an outdoor store and Redix, the Wrightsville Beach retailer that is opening a branch downtown, Lawler said.
He said he has seen the area transform for the better. So has Sylvia Kochler, president of Residents of Old Wilmington. She also is pleased the city sought ideas from a large cross-section of the community; a strategy she believes will result in a better overall long-range plan. The steering committee also included residents from various backgrounds and vocations to shape the final draft.
“I love the idea of comprehensive planning and having grassroots input,” she said. “I commend the city for having forums like this.”
City residents who didn’t get a chance to speak with planners still have a chance to comment. Christine Hughes, the senior planner who has coordinated the effort, said comments will be accepted for 30 days online. The goal is to seek city council approval in August or September. To see a copy of the draft plan, visit http://createwilmington.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Policies-Draft-050115-Public-Review.pdf
email [email protected]
