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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 07-25 Maplewood launches new interactive map to collect community feedback MAPLEWOOD REVIEW Maplewood launches new interactive map to collect community feedback Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/25/2017 - 10:38am Maplewood’s new interactive map includes six categories of pins for location-based comments. The map is part of an increased staff effort to reach residents who don’t normally attend public meetings. courtesy of City of Maplewood In an effort to better identify community needs, Maplewood city staff is seeking input from people who spend time in Maplewood. The city is gathering comments, both positive and negative, via some of the same methods it always has, but now there is a new way for community members to make their voices heard. An interactive map has been implemented on the city’s webpage, and the map allows people to place pins in specific locations throughout the city where there’s a feature they like, a feature they want or a feature that needs to be improved. These community needs will then be incorporated into the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which identifies the city’s long-term vision, goals, policies and strategies to help guide future changes. The plan is updated every ten years. Outreach efforts The new interactive map, which can be found on the city’s webpage, has been live for almost a month now, and has already received numerous pins from people who live, work and shop in Maplewood. The pins have six categories: like it, needs work, great neighborhood, housing concern, commercial improvement and safety concern. Although there are currently a mix of comments, a popular request seems to be for sidewalks at various locations around the city. Mike Martin, Economic Development Coordinator, said the purpose of the interactive map is to engage community members of all demographics who do not attend public meetings, and it is just one part of a broader effort. “We know that the internet isn’t the only way to do that, so we’re also reaching out to specific church groups so we can try to get \[involvement\] from cultures that maybe haven’t been represented as well throughout traditional outreach procedures,” Martin said. He added that community members don’t have to use the map if it’s not comfortable for them. Other, more traditional methods of sharing comments include filling out comment cards at the public works building or talking with city staff on the phone or in person. “The plan is supposed to last 10 years, so we want as many people to have their hands on it \[as we can\] to help shape it. It doesn’t work if it’s just a few of us here that work for the city that guide the plan,” Martin said. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Martin said Maplewood city staff is still in the “understanding the issues stage” of the comprehensive plan. He explained that after the issues are identified, staff will work with the steering committee and various commissions to review the chapters of the comprehensive plan, which ranges from sustainability to land use to transportation. Then, near the end of this year, the ideas from the steering committee, commissions and community members will be incorporated into chapters and policy recommendations. Traditional methods of community outreach will also happen at this time including mailings, formal open houses and public hearings. The feedback from the draft chapters will be brought together, and by early summer 2018 an official draft comprehensive plan will be sent to neighboring cities and the Metropolitan Council for review. The whole project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Martin said the Maplewood comprehensive plan is different than what a city like Woodbury might have, because Maplewood is not looking to make drastic, big picture changes the way a city that is still developing might. “Our effort’s a little more nuanced,” he said, adding that for example, a change made in Maplewood might be to work on building more sidewalks throughout the city. “We can only react and incorporate things that we hear, so to make this a meaningful process, we need to hear from as many people as possible from all areas of the city,” he said. For more information about the 2040 Comprehensive Plan or to access the interactive map, visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/1718/2040-Comprehensive-Plan.