Please come out to the Blue Island Comprehensive Plan Open House, Monday 4/16/12 from 4:30-7:30p. We would love input from you before this important document is sent on for its formal review and adoption by City Council.
The Blue Island Comprehensive Plan builds on previous planning and revitalization efforts, and will guide growth and decision-making in the City for years to come.
The purpose of the open house is to receive public comment prior to beginning the formal review process with the City Council and other Blue Island officials. Representatives from the City and CMAP will be available to answer questions and provide clarification.
Calling All Data Nerds: Excerpt from "Megapolitan America" now available.
An excerpt from the book Megapolitan America is now available. The Atlantic Cities blog recently covered how the book analyzes data that suggests dramatic shifts by 2040, including a U.S. economy dominated by 23 megapolitan regions. The authors write: “In our view, we need to target many long-range planning and public policy efforts to where people live, not where they don’t.”
Share Your Vision for Blue Island - Public Visioning Workshop 10/19
The next public meeting for the Blue Island comprehensive plan will be a visioning workshop, and it is open to all stakeholders in the community.
Public Visioning Workshop
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (sign-in begins at 6:00 p.m.)
MetroSouth Medical Center, Conference Rooms B & C, 12935 Gregory Street, Blue Island, IL 60406
The public had 2opportunities in June, 2011 to contribute during the first phase of the comprehensive plan by attending one of two kick-off meetings to discuss issues that the plan should address.
How is this different from past public workshops?
Unlike the Blue Island Plan, the Comprehensive Plan will cover all of Blue Island (not just downtown & TOD areas) and address additional issues like public health, food access and heritage/culture/arts.
Why should I care about the Comprehensive Plan?
Potential for Increased State Funding: IL communities are not required to adopt comprehensive plans. However, if we do, the Local Planning Technical Assistance Act (20 ILCS 662) provides that we may obtain preference for state funding for state economic development, transportation, planning, and natural resource and agriculture programs.
Traditionally, a comprehensive plan is advisory, but the Local Planning Technical Assistance Act states that any municipality or county receiving state assistance to write or revise a comprehensive plan should ensure that land development regulations, including zoning map amendments and any other land use actions, be consistent with the new or revised comprehensive plan.
City of Blue Island Comprehensive Plan - Schedule & Process
Low-Cost GIS Workshops Offered By CMAP This Fall
GIS workshops. CMAP offers a low-cost, introductory, hands-on ArcGIS 10 workshop. The next 2-day sessions will be Oct 26-27 and Nov 30-Dec 1, 2011.
Cost: $350 per person, which includes a manual.
Please contact Jan Drennan or David Clark for more info or to register.
Public Meetings for Comprehensive Plan
As a part of our 2011-2012 comprehensive planning effort, the Community Development Department invites local residents, business owners, community leaders and other stakeholders to share their ideas about what the future of Blue Island should look like.
The public will have 2 opportunities in June to contribute to the comprehensive plan by attending a special community planning event. These events will be held in the evening, and are open to all members of the Blue Island community.
For more details, please contact Jessica Simoncelli via email or call (312) 386-8631.
Workshop #1
Date: Monday, June 20th, 2011
Time: Registration - 6p; Program 6:30-8p
Location: Salvation Army, 2900 W. Burr Oak
Workshop #2
Date: Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Time: Registration - 6p; Program 6:30-8p
Location: Blue Island Recreation Center, 2805 141st St
