WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AREA PLAN INITIATIVE?
In 2003 the City of Fort Wayne Housing Strategy was adopted as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan. The strategy was the culmination of a year-long process initiated by the City of Fort Wayne's Division of Community Development and private and non-profit partners to rethink and refocus public and private efforts to re-energize the City's neighborhoods. One primary goal of the Housing Strategy was to: “Reintroduce planning as a central basis for activity at all scales within the City”. To achieve this goal, a strong, proactive planning agenda, based on neighborhood level planning, was recommended. It was recommended that planning be done in partnership with neighborhood residents and other stakeholders to insure that appropriate, implementable, and measurable plans would be developed.
During the planning process, community stakeholders (residents, community groups, property owners, businesses, etc.) identify and discuss issues, develop goals (where do you want to go), and create strategies (how to get from today to where we want to be). Plans usually include four basic elements: land use, transportation, housing and community facilities. Other specific issues identified by community members also can be addressed by the plan.
What are the benefits of a Plan?
Plans created with the involvement of the Planning Department are presented to City Council for formal adoption and become a component of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The approved plan is used by City departments, boards, and commissions as a guide for decision-making. Key projects from plans may be selected for inclusion in the Annual Improvement Project Report to City Council as a part of the budget process. Plans also help communities organize their ideas into a single document that can be shared with residents, potential community partners, and investors.
PACKARD AREA PLANNING ALLIANCE
BLOOMINGDALE SPY RUN AREA PLAN
EAST PARK PLANNING ALLIANCE PLAN
MEMORIAL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
For more information on these Plans, contact the City of Fort Wayne Planning & Policy Department at (260) 427-1127.