COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT … · 2020. 7. 10. · the October 11, 2019 annual Montevallo Mayor’s Hometown Hero’ Breakfast. She spoke to a large local

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SUM

MARY

Making Montevallo 1

Making MontevalloCOMPREHENSIVE PLAN

APPENDIX A - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY

Making Montevallo2

This project was supported by funding from the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) and the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Building Communities Program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Birmingham MPO or the RPCGB. For more information on this program, please visit http://www.rpcgb.org or call (205) 251-8139.

This plan was prepared as a cooperative effort of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), MPO and RPCGB as a requirement of Title 23 USC 134 and subsequent modification under Public Law 114-94 (FAST Act) December 2015. The contents of the plan do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the USDOT.

This contents of this Comprehensive Plan reflect the City of Montevallo’s community values. The Plan serves as a guide to interpreting citizen values into future land use decisions, capital investments and public policies. As such, the recommendations within this Comprehensive Plan are not legally binding upon the City of Montevallo.

Making Montevallo

Making Montevallo 3

ContentsChapter 1: Overview Strategies .........................................................................................5Project Website ....................................................................................................................................... 6Email E-blasts ......................................................................................................................................... 6Steering Committee ................................................................................................................................. 7Online Mapping Tool ................................................................................................................................ 7Visioning Survey .................................................................................................................................... 7Media Coverage ...................................................................................................................................... 9

Chapter 2: Results + Findings ......................................................................................... 11Public Outreach Participation Rates ....................................................................................................... 11Web (www.Makingmontevallo.com) ........................................................................................................ 12Online Mapping Tool ............................................................................................................................. 12Visioning Survey Results ........................................................................................................................ 14Email E-blasts ....................................................................................................................................... 24Print Media ........................................................................................................................................... 25Face-To-Face Meetings .......................................................................................................................... 26

Figures Figure 2.1: Location of comments received via the Online Wikimap Tool ................................................. 13Figure 2.2: Priority Development Activity results from Student Outreach at University of Montevallo ......... 27Figure 2.3: Priority Development Activity results from the October 2019 Kickoff Open House .................. 28

TablesTable 2.1: Participation Rates ............................................................................................................... 11Table 2.2: Results from the Economic and Leadership Issues & Opportunities Banner Activity .................. 29Table 2.3: Results from the Community Development Issues & Opportunities Banner Activity ................... 30Table 2.4: Results from the Quality of Life Issues & Opportunities Banner Activity .................................... 31Table 2.5: Results from the Infrastructure Issues & Opportunities Banner Activity .................................... 32

Making Montevallo4

EXISTING CONDITION

Making Montevallo 5

OVERVIEW STRATEGIES

1 Robust public involvement is the most critical part of any planning process. Without input from the public and knowledge of their desires, concerns, and vision, the professional knowledge of planners is limited in the ability to create an implementable plan that is tailored to the community. A plan should be a collaboration between locals and the planning team, and as such the purpose is two-fold: for the planners to educate stakeholders on the purpose and process of planning and for the stakeholders to educate planners about their community. This collaborative effort creates a plan that is defensible, attainable, and reflective of the community it serves.

Knowing the importance of public involvement, the RPCGB planning team for this Montevallo Comprehensive Plan used a multifaceted approach utilizing both in-person and online methods to gather as much information from the community as possible. The sections below highlight the outreach methods used by the planning team to inform their development of the Comprehensive Plan.

Making Montevallo6

PROJECT WEBSITEA formal website for the Montevallo Comprehensive Plan was maintained by the RPCGB through the life of the project. This website, www.MakingMontevallo.com, served as an information gateway for the Plan, and provided easy access to plan documents, public meeting details, surveys, project facts and other information.

EMAIL E-BLASTSEmail was the main form of communication used to provide information for the Montevallo Comprehensive Plan events, calls to action, or plan milestones. Recipients included an initial list of stakeholders and residents created by Montevallo City Hall and the RPCGB. Other recipients included those who opted in on the project website and those who attended the October 2019 Mayor’s Hometown Hero’s Breakfast and the Kickoff Open House events. It was the intention of this Plan that the email subscriber list would grow as the Plan progressed.

Steering Committee Meeting #1Steering Committee Meeting #1

Steering Committee Meeting #1Steering Committee Meeting #1


MARY

Making Montevallo 7

STEERING COMMITTEEA 25 person steering committee composed of city staff, boards, non-profits, residents, business owners and others with a stake in the future of Montevallo played a critical role in ensuring that this new Comprehensive Plan is grounded in the values and the aspirations of the people of Montevallo. The members of the diverse steering committee were selected by the Mayor’s office based on their dedicated civic engagement, professional expertise, and knowledge of the City.

This steering committee played an integral role in relaying community needs to the planning team and communicating details of the planning effort to the general public. The steering committee met two times during the development of the Comprehensive Plan. The following steering meetings were held:

• Steering Committee Meeting #1: January 28, 2020.

• Steering Committee Meeting #2: TBD

ONLINE MAPPING TOOLAn online mapping tool, called a Wikimap, was available on the project website and allowed participants to “map” their issues, needs, and ideas on an interactive street map of the City. Participants were able to note locations of community assets, areas that need improvement, opportunity ideas, traffic issue areas, streets needing sidewalks or bike facilities, along with any other issue or idea they wanted to geographically pinpont. The Wikimap was open for answers from September 29 to December 1, 2019 and received 47 comments by 40 unique visitors.

To view the online Wikimapping results see pages 12 -13 in Chapter 2 of this document.

VISIONING SURVEY This 20-question multiple-choice and open-ended survey was open for answers from September 29 to December 1, 2019, and in total 480 responses were received. The purpose of the survey was to assess the City’s perceived strengths, challenges, opportunities, development patterns, and allowed for a satisfaction rating of city services at it pertains to the maintenance of local roads, code enforcement, police protection, the City’s responsiveness to formal complaints, public facilities, fire and rescue services and parks and recreational facilities . The survey was promoted via E-blasts and hard copies were made available at Montevallo City Hall, during City-led events, and at the Kickoff Open House on October 17, 2019. A Spanish translation was also made available.

A summary of the responses to each survey question is shown on pages 14 - 23 of this document.

Making Montevallo8

FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGSThe following face-to-face meetings were held with the general public:

OCTOBER 17, 2019 KICKOFF OPEN HOUSEThe Kickoff Open House was held on October 17, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Parnell Memorial Library. The Open House was promoted via flyers distributed throughout the City, email e-blasts, the project website and via the City of Montevallo’s website and online calendar. In total there were 26 attendees.

The purpose of the Kickoff Open House was to gather feedback regarding the state of Montevallo today and citizen’s issues and desires regarding future projects and priorities, economic development, transportation, infrastructure, quality of life, and planning and public services. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback to the planning team through the following interactive activities:

• Visioning Survey• Mapping Exercise• Priority Development Activity• Issues and Opportunities Banners

For detailed results of the Kickoff Open House activities, see pages 26-32 in Chapter 2.

UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO STUDENT OUTREACHOn the same date as the Kickoff Open house on, October 17, 2019, the RPCGB Planning Team sought input from University of Montevallo students on campus at the Anna Irvin Dining Hall, from 11am to 1pm. Although college students may be a transient part of Montevallo’s population, they are an integral part of Montevallo’s economy and support local businesses and restaurants just like permanent residents.

Two activities were presented to the University of Montevallo students. These were designed to be taken quickly and easily by students during their lunch break. The first was an abbreviated version of the visioning survey that was made widely available to the general public. The second was a priority exercise, where students were given a “budget” with monopoly money and asked to spend their allocated budget dollars on what they felt should be the highest priorities in Montevallo. Their choices were: additional nightlife and entertainment options, additional restaurants and coffee shops, additional shopping and retail options, additional off-campus housing, new park amenities, and more bike lanes and trails.

The students were offered the opportunity to win a $25 Chevron gas gift card and receive a piece of Halloween candy for completing both the survey and budget activity. Over 100 students participated in the outreach activity.

Student’s responses to the Visioning Survey were included in the Visioning Survey responses on pages 14-23. To view the results of the priority ranking exercise, see page 27 in Chapter 2.

Kickoff Open HouseKickoff Open House


MARY

Making Montevallo 9

OCTOBER 11, 2019 MAYOR’S HOMETOWN HEROS BREAKFASTRPCGB Principal Planner Lindsay Puckett was asked by the Mayor to give the keynote speech at the October 11, 2019 annual Montevallo Mayor’s Hometown Hero’ Breakfast. She spoke to a large local audience and took them on a “journey” through the Making of Montevallo – the past, present and future – while highlighting some visionary leaders, who’s efforts shaped the City of Montevallo today.

The keynote speech also highlighted the importance of placemaking - What is the difference between a “Space” and a “Place”? and urged the audience to think about what places in Montevallo should be more meaningful and need investment. A hard copy of the visioning survey was available for the Mayor’s Breakfast attendees to complete, and in addition the attendees were encouraged to sign-up for updates regarding the Montevallo Comprehensive Plan process.

MEDIA COVERAGEThe Comprehensive Plan was featured in the following media sources:

SHELBY COUNTY REPORTER:• August 20, 2019: “Montevallo approves

RPCGB contract for Comprehensive Plan update”

• October 17, 2019: “Montevallo celebrates ‘Hometown Heroes’ at 10th annual breakfast”

• October 24, 2019: “Residents’ input wanted for Montevallo Comprehensive Plan”

• January 27, 2020: “ Montevallo Mayor shares updates in State of the City address”

WBRC:• June 28, 2018: “Montevallo mayor seeks

citizens’ vision for future changes to the City”

• August 26, 2019: “Montevallo works with commission on new Comprehensive Plan”2019 Mayor’s Hometown 2019 Mayor’s Hometown

Hero’s BreakfastHero’s Breakfast

2019 Mayor’s Hometown 2019 Mayor’s Hometown Hero’s BreakfastHero’s Breakfast

Making Montevallo10

Making Montevallo 11

RESULTS + FINDINGS

2 PUBLIC OUTREACH PARTICIPATION RATESTable 2.1: Participation Rates

Face-to-Face Meetings Date # of

ParticipantsKickoff Open House 10/17/2019 26

Draft Plan Reveal Open House TBD

Steering Committee MeetingsMeeting #1 1/28/2020 14Meeting #2 TBD

Survey and Mapping ToolsVisioning Survey –

hard copy and online9/29/2019 – 12/1/2019 480

Online Mapping Tool - Wikimap

9/29/2019 – 12/1/2019

40 unique visitors and 47

commentsWeb Content

Making Montevallo Website - Unique

VisitorsAs of 3/23/2020 677

EXISTING CONDITION

Making Montevallo12

WEB (WWW.MAKINGMONTEVALLO.COM)To date the Making Montevallo Plan website has been visited by 677 unique visitors.

ONLINE MAPPING TOOL (WIKIMAP) The online mapping tool, called the Wikimap, proved to be a valuable tool for participants to geographically pinpoint their perception of Montevallo’s issues, needs and desires. Participant comments were sorted into the following categories:

ASSETS – 6 COMMENTS • Downtown Montevallo • University of Montevallo • Parnell Library • Parks and greenspace opportunities • Great Farmers Market!

OPPORTUNITIES – 15 COMMENTS• Revitalize vacant downtown buildings • Bring a hotel to Downtown Montevallo• Equestrian center/ conference facility/

lodging/ RV park at old Horse Farm• Update gateways • Provide safe pedestrian crossings • Create a dog park at Shoal Creek Park• Create retail destinations along Highway 25

and Highway 11

TRAFFIC ISSUES – 11 COMMENTS • Enforce carpool lines at schools – many

people cut in line• Enforce the “no left turn” policy along Highway

119• Ticket those who park illegally along Middle

Street• Prohibit U-turns along Main Street • Provide at crosswalk at Selma Road and

Highway 25• Provide at crosswalk at Gardner Street and

Highway 25• Provide at crosswalk at Overland Road and

Highway 119

• Dangerous intersection at Bloch Street and Main Street

• Enforce one-way designation on Bloch Street

GENERAL ISSUES – NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS – 12 COMMENTS

• Dailey Park – restroom and face-lift needed • Fred’s Shopping Center needs a face-lift• Improve broadband Internet availability• Provide lights in Orr Park • Provide an area for businesses to bring their

recycling at City Hall. The recycling center isn’t convenient.

• Complete the park at the Old Mill Site• Restore or demolish the Mahler House in

Shoal Creek Park• Preserve historic structures like the Cary-

Calkins House • Additional park lighting is needed

OTHER COMMENTS – 3 COMMENTS

• Ensure that cars only drive in designated areas at parks, especially at Orr Park.

• Preserve Highway 119. Ensure that it remains a scenic corridor.

• Concentrate commercial development along Highway 25

In total, 40 unique users provided 47 comments. Figure 2.1 shows the geographical locations of the comments received via the online Wikimap tool.


MARY


Figure 2.1: Location of comments received via the Online Wikimap Tool

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

¬«119

¬«25

¬«155

")22

")12

")17 ")15

")10

")23

")89")19

")73

")17

204

SELM

A RD

COUNTRY HILLS RD

SHOP ST

ELYSIAN WAY

ARDN

ER ST

GILM

ORE

-NIC

K CI

R

FORE

ST D

R

FAIR

VIE

W L

N

SHA

DY HILL DR

SALE

M R

D

FIELDS DR

POLK DR

CEMETERY RD

MIDDLE STHIGHLAND ST

VALLEY ST

PEAC

H ST

FREEDOM PKWY

ALEX MILL RD

OVERLAND RD

EWING ST

JONES RD

WHITE RD

KIN

G ST

CEDAR WAY

OAKDALE DR

SPRING C

REEK R

D

KEELER MILL RD

STEPHENS ST

SALTERS PA

TH

OTT

S FA

RM R

D

CLA

Y P

IT R

D

City Limits Parks & Openspace

WaterwaysLakes

Railroads

University of Montevallo

WikiMap Comments

Opportunities

General Issue - Needs Improvement Traffic Issue

Asset

Other Comment

Making Montevallo14

VISIONING SURVEY RESULTSIn total, 480 people completed the Visioning Survey associated with this Plan. The following pages outline the results of the Visioning Survey.

SURVEY RESULTS

Making Montevallo Comprehensive Plan2

What is your vision for the future of Montevallo?


MARY


3

To find out, we asked you to take a quick survey.

From September 27 to December 03, we received 480 responses.Here are the results.

Making Montevallo Comprehensive Plan

4

QUALITY OF LIFEHow would you rate your quality of life in Montevallo?

Excellent

19%

Good

63%

Poor

2%

Fair

17%


Making Montevallo16

TOP STRENGTHSWhat are the top 2 strengths of the City of Montevallo?


34.1%

20.7%

17.7%

6.0%

3.3%

1.3%

14.4%

Its small town feel and unique identity

The walkable Downtown

The presence of the University

Low cost of living

Quality of public schools and governmentservices

Healthy business community

Access to parks, recreation and sportsprograms

5

6

TOP CHALLENGESWhat are the greatest challenges facing the City of Montevallo?


9.8%

5.8%

31.5%

19.3%

9.1%

17.9%

6.6%

Lack of housing variety and prices

Lack of pedestrian and bicycle connections

Limited variety of shopping and dining options

Presence of vacant businesses

Parks and recreational facilities that needimprovement

Limited local job opportunities

Please elborate if you wish...


MARY


7

PreferredDevelopmentWhat types of development would you like to see more of in Montevallo?


10.2%

3.8%

18.2%

33.5%

6.3%

3.6%

6.7%

6.0%

7.9%

3.7%

Retail and boutique shopping options

Business and professional offices

Full service (“sit-down”) restaurants

Entertainment and cultural options

Variety of housing choices (e.g., estates,…

Mixed-use developments (a mix of retail,…

Medical services

Parks and recreational outlets

Small footprint or specialty grocery

Please elaborate if you wish...

8

Rate of GrowthMontevallo is growing…


4.7%

58.8%

24.1%

12.4%

Too fast

At an acceptable rate

Too slowly

Unsure

Making Montevallo18

Police ProtectionHow satisfied are you with police protection

13Making Montevallo Comprehensive Plan

20.7%

49.4%

19.1%

6.4%

0.8%

3.6%

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

Not applicable to me

Fire and RescueHow satisfied are you with fire and rescue services?


32.0%

41.6%

15.4%

1.7%

0.6%

8.8%

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied



MARY


GovernmentResponsivenessHow satisfied are you with the responsiveness by the City to formal complaints?


7.2%

23.1%

37.7%

7.4%

2.2%

22.3%

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied


Public FacilitiesHow satisfied are you with public facilities (e.g., Senior Center, Library, Community Center)?

13.9%

53.6%

22.5%

3.6%

1.4%

5.0%

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied



Making Montevallo20

Parks and RecreationHow satisfied are you with parks and recreation facilities?


24.2%

47.4%

14.6%

8.8%

2.8%

2.2%

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied


34.7%

22.3%

45.0%

50.9%

37.1%

Additional ball sports fields(baseball, football, soccer, etc.)

Tennis courts and pickleballcourts

Neighborhood playgrounds

Walking trails

Nature study and conservationareas

Recreation ProgramsWhat improvements would you suggest to parks or recreation programs in Montevallo?

18


MARY


Recreation ImprovementsPlease elaborate on any suggested parks improvements or new types of programs that you would like to see at the following parks.

19

38.3%

20.4%

25.2%

16.0%

Orr Park

Stephens Park

Shoal Creek Park

George Daily Park


Relationshipto MontevalloWhat is your relationship to Montevallo?


54.6%

4.6%

10.3%

3.3%

20.5%

6.8%

Resident

Business Owner

Employee

Visitor

Student

Other (please specify)

Making Montevallo22

Age BreakdownWhat is your age group?


19.5%

13.6%

10.2%

13.6%

18.1%

13.9%

11.0%

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

So what do we do with these results?

We craft policy recommendations that will address the concerns and realize the goals specified in the

survey results.



MARY


23

WikiMap Results

Comprehensive Plan Recommendations

Survey Results

Stakeholder Input


For more information, contact:Lindsay Puckett, AICP

[email protected]

Making Montevallo24

EMAIL E-BLASTS During the planning process, e-blasts were used to announce events such as the Kickoff Open Houses, the visioning survey results, and draft plan documents. The following e-blasts were sent:

• October 1, 2019: It’s Kickoff month for the Montevallo Comprehensive Plan – we need your input! • October 14, 2019: Reminder - We need your input this Thurs Oct 17 at the Montevallo Comprehensive

Plan Kickoff Open House• October 24, 2019: Thanks for a successful Comprehensive Plan kickoff meeting! There’s still time to

give online input.• January 06, 2020: Making Montevallo Comprehensive Plan - View the Kickoff Phase public input

results• TBD


MARY


PRINT MEDIAAll public meeting flyers were emailed to Steering Committee members, Montevallo citizens who provided their email address at face to face events, and RPCGB’s initial stakeholder list. Recipients were urged to print the flyer and display it at key locations across the city. In addition, flyers were also posted on Facebook to promote the events using social media. A copy of the Kickoff Open House flyer can be found below.

Making Montevallo26

DRAFT PLAN REVEAL OPEN HOUSE - SPRING 2020TBD

FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGSThe following face-to-face meetings were held with the general public:

OCTOBER 17, 2019 KICKOFF OPEN HOUSEThe Kickoff Open House was held on October 17, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Parnell Memorial Library. The Open House was promoted via flyers distributed throughout the City, email e-blasts, the project website and via the City of Montevallo’s website and online calendar. In total there were 26 attendees.

The purpose of the Kickoff Open House was to gather feedback regarding the state of Montevallo today and citizen’s issues and desires regarding future projects and priorities, economic development, transportation, infrastructure, quality of life, and planning and public services. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback to the planning team through the following interactive activities:

• Mapping Exercise - see pages12-13 for the results that were combined with the online mapping activity.

• Visioning Survey - see pages 14 - 23 for the results.

• Priority Development Activity - see page 28 for the results.

• Issues and Opportunities Banners Activity - see pages 29-32 for the results.

Kickoff Open HouseKickoff Open House

University of Montevallo University of Montevallo Student OutreachStudent Outreach

University of Montevallo University of Montevallo Student OutreachStudent Outreach


MARY


PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY This activity asked both University of Montevallo students and Montevallo citizens the following question: “What types of development do you want to see more of in Montevallo?”. The results of this activity are included in Figures 2.2 - 2.3.

What types of development would you like to see more of in Montevallo?

UM Student Responses

Additional shopping and retail options

17%

Bike lanes and trails

9%

New park amenities

9%

Nightlife and entertainment

28%

Off-campus housing

13%

Restuarants and coffee shops

24%

17 October 2019

Figure 2.2: Priority Development Activity results from Student Outreach at University of Montevallo

Making Montevallo28

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES BANNERS ACTIVITYFor less place specific comments, the Kickoff Open House attendees were encouraged to write what they liked, didn’t like and what they would like to see in Montevallo in the future. These “Issues & Opportunities Banners” were broken down by topic, and the results are included in Tables 2.2 - 2. X.

Additional shopping and retail options

23%

Bike lanes and trails

16%

Mixed-use housing

7%

New park amenities

10%

Nightlife and entertainment

21%

Restuarants and coffee shops

23%

What types of development would you like to see more of in Montevallo?

Public Meeting Responses 17 October 2019

Figure 2.3: Priority Development Activity results from the October 2019 Kickoff Open House


MARY


Table 2.2: Results from the Economic and Leadership Issues & Opportunities Banner ActivityELEMENTS FEEDBACK

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

(WHAT ADDITIONAL

TYPES OF BUSINESSES WOULD YOU

LIKE TO SEE?)

WHAT’S WORKING• New restaurants/ businesses• Progress on main street• Great small town college feel

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Lack of retail and dining options• No activity-based business for families (bowling, laser tag, etc.)

WHAT’S NEEDED• More sit down restaurants (3), BBQ was mentioned specifically• More entertainment options Downtown - live music, breweries• More retail options - hardware store (3), bike shop, and additional family friendly businesses• Direct growth towards Highway 25, and give it the attention it deserves• More single family homes

PARTNERSHIPS + ORGANIZATIONS

WHAT’S WORKING• Community organizations do a good job of partnering with each other to do events and initiatives• MCDC

WHAT’S NOT WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVED

WHAT’S NEEDED• Draw industry from Alabaster and Calera to support clients to local businesses in Montevallo• Tech services

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SUPPORT (FINANCIAL INCENTIVES, TAX CREDITS, REGULATORY ASSISTANCE,

ETC.)

WHAT’S WORKING• Existing government support...the County, City, and University of Montevallo Cooperative is working well


WHAT’S NEEDED• Higher property taxes• Incentives to attract business

BUSINESS RECRUITMENT /

RETENTION EFFORTS

WHAT’S WORKING- NO COMMENTS RECEIVED

WHAT’S NOT WORKING • Low property taxes and vacant houses and businesses

WHAT’S NEEDED• More incentives to attract additional businesses - more businesses, more sales tax• Attract tech-based industries• Improvements should be focused in other areas of the City, not just Main Street

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WHAT’S WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVED

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Limited opportunities in the area (2)• Lack of local workforce housing• Workforce will likely commute 15+ miles

WHAT’S NEEDED• Additional support from partners and community members (mentoring, etc.)

Making Montevallo30

Table 2.3: Results from the Community Development Issues & Opportunities Banner ActivityELEMENTS FEEDBACK

DIVERSITY OF HOUSING STOCK (HOUSING AND

LOT SIZES, PRICES, ETC.)

WHAT’S WORKING• Affordability (2)

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Too many apartments (2)• Lack of homes in higher price points• Limited options for new construction and resale

WHAT’S NEEDED• Low income housing• Assisted living and retirement communities

AVAILABILITY OF SENIOR HOUSING (NURSING HOMES,

ASSISTED LIVING

FACILITIES)

WHAT’S WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVED

WHAT’S NOT WORKING • This is difficult because can be a strain on emergency services unless there are adequate staff there.

WHAT’S NEEDED• Planned retirement communities/ assisted living communities (4)

CONCENTRATIONS OF DISTRESSED

HOUSING / PROBLEM AREAS

WHAT’S WORKING• Identified and corrected efficiently.

WHAT’S NOT WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVEDWHAT’S NEEDED

• Property maintenance assistance programs

CODE ENFORCEMENT

WHAT’S WORKING• In general Montevallo looks pretty good.• Staff is accessible and responsive!

WHAT’S NOT WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVEDWHAT’S NEEDED

• Trash maintenance at appointed pickup• Additional regulations for multifamily dwellings

WAYFINDING (LANDSCAPED

GATEWAYS, NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNAGE, ETC.)

WHAT’S WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVEDWHAT’S NOT WORKING

• Inconsistent wayfinding elements WHAT’S NEEDED

• More uniformed and comprehensive wayfinding elements downtown and at City Parks (2)

PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE, & EMS

WHAT’S WORKING • Services are excellent (5)• Partnerships with local industrial facilities is fantastic!

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Lack of education about what constitutes an emergency - people don’t know when to call 911 (2)

WHAT’S NEEDED• Education on when to use public safety services (2)• Additional paid fire/ems/police officers • Raise taxes - consider a full-time paid fire department if the budget allows for it ($3 million)• Mobile health clinics• Full-time RN/EMS to make medical calls (look at the City of Pelham’s program)


MARY


Table 2.4: Results from the Quality of Life Issues & Opportunities Banner ActivityELEMENTS FEEDBACK

K-12 EDUCATION AND FACILITIES

WHAT’S WORKING• Overall form and character of the City - proximity to other cities, historic aesthetics, and walkability (4)

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Bullying at the elementary and middle schools• Hesitancy by families to move to Montevallo due to the school system

WHAT’S NEEDED• Improved test scores at county schools (2)• Recycling policy @ MES• Updated school buildings - facade improvements needed for schools and out buildings• Improved sports facilities

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

(LIBRARY, SENIOR CENTER)

WHAT’S WORKING • Fabulous multi-use library facility (4)• Boys and Girls Club• Fantastic Senior Center


WHAT’S NEEDED• A Teen Center• Community Event Center

PARKS + RECREATION FACILITIES

(MAINTENANCE, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, WHAT’S NEEDED)

WHAT’S WORKING• Park facilities (3)• Montevallo Trail

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Maintenance at Shoal Creek Park• Bathroom facilities at Orr Park

WHAT’S NEEDED• Orr Park - additional lighting, expanded hours, paved walking trails, and improved bathrooms• More areas for open air activities for children - bike riders, skateboarders, etc.• Expand the Montevallo Trail to connect all existing parks and greenspaces. Explore the feasibility of

expanding the trail to Alabaster• Additional park and recreational facilities for residents near Highway 25• Yearly park cleanup campaigns• Shoal Creek Park - provide trail-heads, repair the Malher House, and improve the trails

ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT’S WORKING• Additional businesses and pocket parks

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• No formal “entertainment district” policy for Downtown - allow open containers for special events (2)

WHAT’S NEEDED• Additional live entertainment opportunities and weekend activities - music, festivals, etc.

ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

WHAT’S WORKING - NO COMMENTS RECEIVEDWHAT’S NOT WORKING

• Limited options locally (3)WHAT’S NEEDED- NO COMMENTS RECEIVED

Making Montevallo32

Table 2.5: Results from the Infrastructure Issues & Opportunities Banner ActivityELEMENTS FEEDBACK

MOBILITY CHOICES (SIDEWALKS,

BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE,

ETC.)

WHAT’S WORKING• Downtown and Main Street (4)

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Lack of sidewalks on the outskirts of town• Crosswalks across 119 at Arden / Overland• Lack of connection to Downtown from Overland / Indian Highlands • Elementary students cannot walk or bike to school• Lack of pedestrian connection from Highway 25 to Downtown

WHAT’S NEEDED• Accessible and improved sidewalks along Highway 119, Highway 25, and residential neighborhoods

(3)• Additional multi-use paths crosswalk across 119 @ Milestone / Pineview• Additional bike lanes and trails(2)• Additional bike racks

MOBILITY CHOICES (SIDEWALKS,

BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE,

ETC.)

WHAT’S WORKING • Streetscape improvements Downtown

WHAT’S NOT WORKING • The landscape islands that jet out on Main Street are dangerous• Truck traffic on Middle Street, very long light with no turn option

WHAT’S NEEDED• Improved infrastructure (sidewalks, roads, etc.) on Highway 119, Selma Road, and residential areas• Replace storm sewers covers - Shoal Creek Circle• Dedicated turn lane and signal needed on Middle Street

TRAFFIC ISSUES AND SPEEDING

WHAT’S WORKING• Police patrolling traffic

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Speeding and failure to stop at stop signs along Pineview Road, Overland Road, Spring Creek Road,

Shelby Street, and generally in the Arden neighborhood• Failure to stop at pedestrian crossings on Main Street and near Jacks• Truck traffic Downtown (2)• Parking violations -cars are often parked the wrong way or in non-parking spots • People parking and leaving their cars for extended periods Downtown

WHAT’S NEEDED• Police enforcement - issue tickets to speeders and people ignoring stop signs• Education on being courteous to bicyclists and pedestrians• Parking enforcement - students should park in university parking, there should be designated lots for

residents vs commutes


MARY


ELEMENTS FEEDBACK

UTILITIES

WHAT’S WORKING• Garbage service

WHAT’S NOT WORKING• Drainage in some areas

WHAT’S NEEDED• Water Department should modernize their billing system• Pole maintenance• Tree limb trimming• Curbside recycling(3)• More reliable garbage service

Table 2.5: Results from the Infrastructure Issues & Opportunities Banner Activity Continued

Making Montevallo34

Documents

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT … · 2020. 7. 10. · the October 11, 2019 annual Montevallo Mayor’s Hometown Hero’ Breakfast. She spoke to a large local