Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Counties and Towns of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Bruce Dotson Tanya Denckla Institute for Environmental Negotiation University of Virginia

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What is a vision? The result of citizens putting their ideas together Identifying their communities’… –Strengths and resources –Issues and challenges –Possible actions and initiatives Resulting in a written statement of values, aspirations and intentions

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Why a “regional” vision? Issues affecting one jurisdiction may affect others A neighboring jurisdiction may have good ideas that can be borrowed Working together, problems can sometimes be addressed more effectively Grant funds available to the region can be spent to benefit the overall area

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What has led up to today’s meeting? In February meetings were held in each of the five counties (Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock) In April citizens met here to discuss and offer suggestions about six key topics The results of these earlier meetings have now been combined in a DRAFT Regional Vision Statement

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What is the agenda today ? To review the Draft Vision Statement First, review three preliminary sections (30 minutes) –“What we see in our region today” – starting point in looking to the future –“ A statement of shared values” - things we find important now and in the future –“A summary of our vision” - themes about the kind of place we visualize for the future

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What is the agenda today ? (continued) Second, after reviewing the preliminary sections Break into groups to review specific issues and actions, set priorities ( two 30 minute segments) –Land use and growth management –Natural resource protection –Schools, recreation and housing –Utilities and transportation –Economic opportunity –Local powers and authority

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What is the agenda today ? (continued) Third, come back together Hear brief reports on each topic Hear from regional leaders about next steps

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What we see in our region today (strengths) “We see many strengths in our region and communities that make them highly desirable places to live, work and recreate. We have the best of several worlds – we are close enough to major urban centers that they are accessible when desired yet far enough away that our communities retain their own identity. At the local level, our region offers a beautiful setting of farms, mountains and rivers, as well as traditional towns that provide services and markets. We enjoy the smaller scale of our communities where people are warm and friendly. Taxes have been low compared to neighboring localities and we have a high quality of life.”

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What we see in our region today (challenges) “ Many citizens and officials agree that our communities are now at important turning points. The single most important shared concern is the "growing pains” experienced throughout the region, and the challenges that will be brought by the next decades. Signs of sprawl are increasingly evident and this puts pressure on rural owners who want to continue farming. Traffic is beginning to be an issue but VDOT proposals frequently raise concerns. Public service expectations are increasing as our communities grow, especially expectations for schools, recreation and water supply.”

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What we see in our region today (needs) “As we try to address our needs through planning and zoning, we find that the state has not always granted local governments sufficient authority to achieve the kinds of controls or funds we seek. We are beginning to find that the concerns and experiences of the counties and towns making up our region have many elements in common and we see significant potential for addressing our concerns in a coordinated way. “

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What we see in our region today DISCUSSION 1.strengths 2.challenges 3.needs Is this an accurate overall statement? Does it reflect facts you think are important? Does it reflect attitudes with which you can agree?

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Statement of Shared Values “ In our region, we value our scenic natural setting and abundant open space and farms, numerous historic resources, the Main Streets and neighborhoods of our communities, a warm and friendly atmosphere, good jobs and economy, a quality educational system, and a modest amount of growth. We value the benefits of planning and of citizens working together through their governments to guide local and regional change.”

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Statement of Shared Values DISCUSSION Is this an accurate overall statement about the things that are most valued in this region? Does it reflect values you think are important? Does it reflect values with which you can agree?

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Summary of Our Vision We visualize our region and communities of the future as places that…. Succeed, where others have failed, in managing growth and change to preserve those characteristics that we value and seek to sustain. We see “places of character.” Retain their rural and small town feel and preserve their timeless scenic resources. We see “places of beauty.” Offer education and employment for all career levels and preparation for all career tracks. We see “places of learning.”

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Summary of Our Vision (continued) We visualize our region and communities of the future as places that…. Provide infrastructure for the scale and types of communities we desire. We see “places of service.” Balance jobs and housing, tax effort and tax base. We see “places of opportunity.” Find each town and county better off in the future than today and where localities work together on those issues that can be best leveraged in common. We see “places of empowerment.”

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Summary of Our Vision DISCUSSION CharacterBeautyLearning ServiceOpportunityEmpowerment Is this an adequate summary of the vision that is needed for this region? Does this reflect vision elements you think are important? Does it reflect vision elements with which you can agree?

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What is the agenda now ? Break into five groups to review specific issues and actions, set priorities ( two 30 minute segments) –Land Use and Growth Management –Natural Resource Protection –Schools, Recreation and Housing –Utilities and Transportation –Economic Opportunity

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process What happens then ? Come back together at 10:45 Hear brief reports on each topic Hear from regional leaders about next steps

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Enjoy your discussion See you back here at 10:45

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Visioning Process Thank You! Thank You for attending today and for participating over the past several months Please plan to stay involved in the future Thanks to our facilitators –Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC) –The Mediation Center at FOCUS (Charlottesville)