[Durham INC] Open Space Resolution -- New version

[Will Wilson]

FYI:
Planning Director Steve Medlin will provide a status update on the Urban 
Open Space planning process to the Durham Open Space and Trails (DOST) 
Commission at our meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7PM in the second 
floor committee room of City Hall. (I append the discussion with Steve.) 
All folks are welcome to attend. We'll also hear about the transit sales 
tax issue (which INC endorsed), and the ATT bridge funding situation.

Thanks,
Will Wilson

> Good morning Will,
>
> I am out of the office until Tuesday but would be happy to attend
> your meeting to discuss the urban open plan status and issues. Thank
> you for the invitation to attend and I look forward to seeing
> everyone then.
>
> Have a great weekend,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> Steven L. Medlin, AICP Planning Director Durham City-County Planning
> Department 101 City Hall Plaza Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-4137 ext.
> 28223 steve.medlin at durhamnc.gov
>
> On Sep 17, 2011, at 4:09 PM, "Will Wilson" <willwilsn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Steve, I apologize for a typo below: We were notified on SEPTEMBER
>> 16 (not August 16) of the Sept. 27th workshop. Thanks, Will
>>
>> On 9/17/2011 9:49 AM, Will Wilson wrote:
>>> Dear Steve,
>>>
>>> As you know, the Planning Department has been working on an Urban
>>> Open Space plan, championed by the Open Space committee of the
>>> Durham Open Space and Trails Commission for the last several
>>> years. In concert with developing that plan, an Urban Open Space
>>> planning committee was formed, and DOST's Open Space committee is
>>> an integral part of that committee. There were some concerns with
>>> the motivations and objectives underpinning the goals of the
>>> Urban Open Space plan, and in late July, Helen Youngblood
>>> notified the UOS committee members that an upcoming meeting was
>>> cancelled to "re-evaluat[e] the Urban Open Space Plan and our
>>> approach to the process. The Planning Director feels that we
>>> need this time to properly assess where the plan is heading and
>>> thoroughly consider what the planning goals are." Although there
>>> had been no word since then, we were anticipating a discussion
>>> within the UOS Committee and/or DOST of the reconsidered planning
>>> goals.
>>>
>>> However, on Friday, August 16, we were notified of a newly
>>> scheduled Downtown Open Space Workshop for all citizens being
>>> held on September 27th. No discussion of the planning goals have
>>> taken place with DOST or the UOS Committee since the end of July,
>>> and, as DOST Chair, I invite you to present these newly
>>> considered goals at the DOST meeting this Wednesday, the 21st, at
>>> 7PM in the second floor conference room in City Hall. It would
>>> seem that if the Planning Department convenes commissions and
>>> committees of citizens, those groups would be given ample
>>> opportunities to formulate these goals. We have a full agenda,
>>> but if you can personally accept this invitation, I'm certain we
>>> can offer a 15 minute slot right at the start for your
>>> presentation.
>>>
>>> I understand it is short notice, but I hope you can make it!
>>>
>>> Sincerely, Will Wilson Chair, Durham Open Space and Trails
>>> Commission
>> --


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