Best Practices in Community Engagement & Public Participation – When to Use High Tech, High Touch, or Both Craig A. Wilson, AICP CEO/President Community Planning Partners

Require building community trust through real “face time” and genuine relationships. Demand the development of champions and sparkplugs that are willing to talk to their neighbors across the back fence. Necessitate overcoming barriers – language, literacy, racial or ethnic tension, disability, attitude about “the government,” etc. Often involve dealing with residents that have limited access to technology or don’t use it as a means to keep up on community issues. If supported by state or federal funds, have proscribed requirements for notifications, meetings, surveys, etc. May have a legal requirement for community engagement.

Utilized a CDBG Planning Grant provided by the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development. Consumer Interest Survey conducted using an on-line survey linked to the Town’s website via SurveyMonkey. 578 responses in a Town with an adult population of 5,009 for a participation rate of 11.5%. Announcement of public meetings and hearings in the Town’s newsletter enclosed in water bills in addition to the required newspaper advertisements. Regular project update posted on the Town’s website. A public design charrette conducted during the day and during the evening.

Communications, survey work, and community organizing efforts required that we have Spanish translation and interpretation. The Planning Team and Project Management Team had the right staff and neighborhood representatives around the table that knew the community and had inroads into the homes. But every community is different and sometimes the outsider has the better inroad. You have to be willing to commit the time needed to get to know the people, their needs, and even their schedules.

By law, communications had to be in writing to all impacted property owners. Public housing residents, though not directly impacted, were invited to attend through a notice in their rent bills. The two public meetings were very well attended. The presentation was thorough and honest, but brief. Visuals are always helpful, including maps, but be prepared to spend a lot of time with folks in front of the maps. Allow lots of time to just answer questions and talk. Never underestimate the importance of before- and after-meeting conversations, so be early and be willing to stay late.