City of Lancaster Citizen Planning Committee - Connect The Dots
16790
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City of Lancaster Citizen Planning Committee

Client:

The City of Lancaster, PA

Executive Summary:

Connect the Dots collaborated with the City of Lancaster to develop an inclusive approach to their Comprehensive Plan Update by establishing a Citizens’ Planning Committee (CPC) made up of a diverse group representative of all Lancaster’s citizens, including historically underrepresented groups. Connect the Dots first provided capacity building through a “Planning Bootcamp” series and then went on to design and facilitate monthly sessions throughout the comprehensive planning process, focusing on shaping opportunities to include the Committee in critical decision-making, such as the selection of the planning consultant team and the development of the engagement plan. Through Connect the Dots’ facilitation, the  CPC has become a cohesive community group in itself, bringing together diverse leaders to serve as strong allies to the City going forward.

Services Performed:

We supported the building and maintenance of the Citizens’ Planning Committee (CPC) by:

  • Using a workshop model to identify the needed backgrounds and representation for selecting and developing the CPC.
  • From a list of about 50 nominees, members were chosen to represent various demographics.
  • Ahead of the Comprehensive Planning process, we provided workshops on planning trends, roles, and responsibilities, selecting a planning firm, equity, diversity, inclusion, comprehensive plan components, and community engagement basics.
  • We then developed and executed a model for CPC members to be involved in the decision-making process for choosing a Comprehensive Plan planning consultant.
  • We also designed and facilitated monthly CPC workshop sessions to provide a safe and interactive space for members to give tangible input throughout the comprehensive planning process.

Project Outcomes:

Connect the Dots helped Lancaster City to successfully deliver the Citizens Planning Committee, an innovative engagement technique that is now being shared across other regions.

  • People reached and engaged: 20+ members
  • Committee members felt empowered to lead engagement in the Comprehensive Planning process, with many hosting their own small community conversations and helping on pop-ups and outreach.