Upper Arlington residents can weigh in on how their city handles housing, land use, economic development and transportation through a second Master Plan survey that opened Aug. 21.
The online survey runs through Sept. 11, and also asks about challenges posed by emerging technologies and climate impacts. It follows a parks and recreation survey in July that drew 1,279 responses, according to the city's announcement.
The response matters. The current Master Plan dates to 2001 and was last updated in 2013. The city cites pressures from a growing region, including commercial reinvestment and transportation demands, as the reason to revisit it.
Three interconnected plans are being developed under the update: the Master Plan itself, a Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan and a new Urban Forestry Plan focused on the city's tree canopy and natural assets.
A Master Plan Steering Committee has been meeting since at least May to review technical analysis and shape survey questions. The committee held a working session May 21 at Bob Crane Community Center, 3200 Tremont Road, according to meeting records.
When the city launched the first survey in July, City Manager Steve Schoeny pointed to the Bob Crane Community Center as proof that resident-driven planning works. "From beginning to end, residents helped shape this life-changing investment in our health, wellbeing and community identity," Schoeny said in the city's July 17 announcement. "As we prepare for the decades ahead, we want to be sure that residents continue to be involved in our planning efforts."
How to participate
- Online survey: Open through Sept. 11 at upperarlingtonmasterplan.com.
- Public meeting: 6–8 p.m. on Sept. 2, Bob Crane Community Center, 3200 Tremont Road. The session will include interactive activities and direct input to the planning team and steering committee.
- Pop-up events: The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival on Sept. 7, and the Upper Arlington Farmers Market on Sept. 9.
Two more surveys are scheduled this fall: a Bob Crane Community Center satisfaction survey opening Sept. 21 through Oct. 9, and a city facilities accessibility survey in October.
