DECEMBER 12, 2012
Applicants sought for Scottsdale Visioning Town Hall
Residents, business owners and other Scottsdale stakeholders have a great opportunity to shape the future of their community by participating in the Scottsdale Visioning Town Hall.
The Town Hall will take place over three half-day sessions on Feb. 6, 7 and 11 at the Monterra special events center at WestWorld. The application is available online through Jan. 11 at www.ScottsdaleGP.com.
Town Hall participants will craft a draft vision statement for Scottsdale’s 2014 General Plan. It’s a key first step in the community’s efforts to guide how the city matures over the next 20 years.
The City Council approved a contract Tuesday with the non-profit Arizona Town Hall organization to put together the Town Hall. The goal is to gather input from various stakeholders – residents, merchants, property owners – and craft a vision statement.
The application process will ensure that a broad, cross-section of the community is involved in the Town Hall discussion. About 100 participants will be selected.
“Our goal is to have representation from all geographic areas and all philosophical perspectives,” said Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane. “This is a discussion that will grow to involve us all and help define what our community will become in the future.”
Crafting a draft vision statement through the Town Hall process is just the starting point. There will be significant opportunities for widespread citizen involvement as the General Plan process moves forward, culminating in a possible public vote in November 2014.
The community visioning effort will also include a Future Leaders Town Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the SkySong Innovation Center, 1475 N Scottsdale Road. It’s open to the first 100 registrants, ages 16-22. Scottsdale’s young community members will share their hopes for the future of Scottsdale during this special event. Registration for the Future Leaders Town Hall is available at www.ScottsdaleGP.com.
“This is a community-driven process,” said Mayor Lane. “No single special interest or perspective will shape this plan. All Scottsdale voices will be heard.”
