Participants at the latest Long-Range Plan workshop series held on September 16 were asked to review a draft of the new plan’s policy and program list. Based on what participants wrote and said, the draft goals reflect the Town well - and provide a good outline for important work yet to come.

Due to the length of the entire list of plan goals, policies and programs, consultant Studio Cascade presented worksheets with key policies and 12 different programs relating to them. Participants were given time to review these individually and in groups, along with printed copies of the entire policy list. As with previous workshops, table groups were encouraged to present their findings to the larger audience.

Of those presenting at both workshops - one at the Douglass Center and another at the Recreation Center - programs favored included creating a neighborhood plan for West Southern Pines, updating the recreation and parks plan, allocating additional funds for acquiring and developing parkland, and preparing an urban design plan for the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor to help revitalize and activate the link between West Southern Pines and downtown.

Two written comments that seemed to capture much of the discussion: "Connect east and west Southern Pines via Pennsylvania Avenue to create one town, not east and west" and, "Develop a West Southern Pines neighborhood plan...with the input of neighborhood citizens."

The draft goal, policy and program framework, along with a worksheet sample and a copy of the meeting presentation, are linked below. The entire framework, as refined to reflect input from the day’s workshops, will be included in the draft plan. The draft Southern Pines Long-Range Plan is expected to be ready for public review in October.

Draft policy & program list (340 Kb, Acrobat® file)
Meeting worksheet (172 Kb, Acrobat® file)
Presentation slides (2.0 Mb, Acrobat® file)

Nearly a year since it opened, the Drop-in Center for the Southern Pines Long-Range Plan is closing its doors.

“The center was established as a type of headquarters for the planning process, where folks could come and meet us, ask questions, and tell us what they thought,” said lead consultant Bill Grimes of Studio Cascade. “Now that the plan’s development is nearly complete, it’s time to shift these resources and the dialogue to the Town and its staff.”

According to center staff-person Kathy Hicks, the space saw approximately 30 visitors during a typical four-day schedule - not as many as was hoped, but according to Hicks, most visitors appreciated the chance to spend time with materials, ask questions, and reflect on community issues.

Everything collected during the Drop-in Center’s run, from sign-in sheets, to workshop materials, posters and process results, will be organized and given to the Town’s Planning Department, where it’s expected they’ll be available for review. Questions about materials or other related resources may be directed to consultant Studio Cascade at 509-835-3770, or to Town staff.

The official closing date for the Drop-in Center will be Thursday, September 17. “We really appreciated what the Drop-in Center offered us in terms of having a meeting place and process showcase,” said Grimes, “and working downtown really helped us get to know folks and learn important things about the Town. We hope residents enjoyed having the center as much as we did.”

From an advisory committee meeting on the 21st, to three community workshops on April 22 and 23, to a fantastic day talking to folks at Springfest, last week was a busy one for Southern Pines’ long-range plan.

As committee member Hugh Mensch indicated in a recent message, the long-range plan booth at Springfest "had a steady stream of traffic...it was gratifying to see the amount of interest in the community."

Thanks to everyone that took part in one or more of the meetings, or stopped in at the booth. We learned a great deal about folks’ preferences and general civic priorities, including how and where they’d like to see Southern Pines’ energies focused. Check back for summary results from the workshops, “penny-poll” results from each of the week’s events, and for the latest on what’s being expressed through the two current “mini-polls.”

Next up, look for committee members Mensch, Pat McGowan, and Ed Monroe at the May 1 First Friday downtown. Haven’t taken part yet? Be sure to do so soon - Southern Pines’ long-range plan is coming into focus!

Here’s a copy of a guest editorial written by resident Tom Goergen, entitled “Make Your Voices Heard on Southern Pines’ Future,” published on March 20, 2009 in the Southern Pines Pilot.

In it, Mr. Goergen cites several important and pressing issues the Long-Range Plan will need to address, including water provision, housing patterns and densities to accommodate projected growth, neighborhood revitalization, and others.

Goergen column (72 Kb, Acrobat® file)