Planning Commission

City of Petersburg Comprehensive Plan Update Meeting Summary Notes Introduction On March 28, 2023, The Berkley Group met with the City of Petersburg Planning Commission and City staff to review and discuss the public engagement summary and the first two draft chapters of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan. Four Planning Commissioners – Tammy Alexander, Thomas Hairston, James Norman, and Marie Vargo – were in attendance. A summary of the discussion, as well as action items if applicable, is included below. Discussion Summary Topic Discussion Action Item Public Several questions to clarify survey statistics. N/A Engagement Summary Chapter 1 PC did not have any questions or comments. N/A Chapter 2 – Consideration of internet and broadband BG to add discussion of Planning infrastructure as a key planning factor. This Broadband Infrastructure as a Factors will help boost economic development and planning factor. remote work opportunities in the City. Chapter 2 – Arts, Culture, and Entertainment should be BG to add discussion of Arts Planning another planning factor addressed in Chapter and Culture as a planning Factors 2. We need to support our arts community. factor. The Parks, Recreation, The City could be prime to be a festival city; and Historic Preservation there is a lot of open land to host festivals and chapter of the Plan will include other entertainment events for the community. a component related to Arts We need an arts & cultural district and an Arts and Culture where specific & Cultural Master Plan. We also don’t have items and strategies can be enough museums. discussed in detail. Chapter 2 – Trails should be discussed in this chapter as a Trails are already discussed in Planning planning factor. We need to capitalize on our Chapter 2 as a component of Factors trails and make them a tourist attraction. Waterfront Investment. BG can add additional detail in this section. Chapter 2 – The impact of climate change on the City will One of the Plan’s key themes is Planning be important to address in the Plan. The City Environmental Stewardship. Factors needs to be able to recover from serious BG can include Climate events. Energy efficiency – including Meeting Summary Notes | Page 1 of 3 City of Petersburg Comprehensive Plan Update Meeting Summary Notes considerations for clean energy and EVs – is Resiliency and Green Energy also important to discuss. This could be a as a planning factor. selling point for tourists through EV charging stations in Old Towne. Chapter 2 – E-bikes and e-scooters should be addressed, BG will provide information on Planning but we must figure out how to address e-bike and e-scooter programs Scooters concerns with liability and safety. There are as part of the Mobility and varying opinions on whether e-bikes and e- Transportation chapter of the scooters are a good fit for Petersburg. Plan. PC can review and determine a policy stance at that time. Chapter 2 – Bikeability needs to be improved. There are The Mobility and Planning more and more bike riders in the City, but Transportation chapter of the Factors accessing trails is difficult and sidewalks are Plan will address pedestrian not well-kept. Additionally, landscaping along and bicycle infrastructure in trails and sidewalks is poorly maintained. the City and strategies for building upon this asset. Chapter 2 – Trash and Recycling – There is a lot of litter on This topic will be addressed in Planning the streets. How can we improve recycling the Environmental Factors practices? Are there modern incentives that Stewardship and Community can be used? Danville was cited as an Facilities and Infrastructure example of a city that has undergone chapters with associated successful beautification. Additionally, what strategies included as opposed about pharmaceutical waste? How could this to an overall planning factor. impact the City? Chapter 2 – There are not enough healthcare options in Public Health is identified as Planning the heart of the City. one of the Plan’s key themes. Factors Healthcare and other factors of a healthy community will therefore be discussed throughout the Plan. Chapter 2 Petersburg needs to capitalize more on VSU. The Economic Development (General How can we make Petersburg more attractive chapter will discuss Comment) to faculty and staff, and students & their partnerships with institutions families? Not just physical transportation – of higher education in the also destinations and opportunities that keep region, along with workforce them here after graduation to live. development pipelines and opportunities. The Land Use chapter will highlight different uses and amenities to consider in future planning efforts, especially in Old Towne. The Housing and Neighborhood section will address targeted Meeting Summary Notes | Page 2 of 3 City of Petersburg Comprehensive Plan Update Meeting Summary Notes housing and homeownership opportunities. Chapter 2 Marketing and Branding for Petersburg – the BG will address as directed. (General Economic Development chapter should Comment) address strategies for marketing, branding, and strategic planning. Chapter 2 Affordable housing is a controversial subject. BG will discuss affordable (General What does it mean for Petersburg, and how housing in detail in the Comment) do we address it in a way that focuses on Housing and Communities what we do want, instead of what we don’t chapter of the Plan. The PC want? The issue of hotels and public housing should reach consensus on needs to be addressed as part of the policy stances during the May conversation. Median household income ties worksession to discuss the into the issue of affordability as well – how chapter. BG notes that state can we raise the median income? code requires all jurisdictions to address affordable housing in their Comprehensive Plans. Chapter 2 – Vision statement is too long and needs to be BG will simplify language and Draft Vision something people can internalize. Education include reference to education. Statement needs to be addressed. It’s a great start and BG will bring a revised draft we can continue working through it as we vision statement back to the draft. Planning Commission for review in May. Action Items Item Responsible Party Timeframe Provide Planning staff with Planning Commission COB April 4, 2023 minor text edits on the Plan draft. Provide the Berkley Group City staff COB April 6, 2023 with the compiled minor text edits on the Plan draft. BG to make all edits as BG As schedule permits directed. Meeting Summary Notes | Page 3 of 3