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Public Input Process
We intend to provide a very robust public input process, with opportunities for input from beginning to end. This page outlines the methods we will use. If you want to make a written comment now, click here.
Interactive Public Meetings
The consultant will host (with support from staff) 35 interactive public input meetings throughout the 18-month process. There will be five rounds, with seven similar meetings throughout the City and County during each round. Below is an outline of what the meetings are expected to cover (which is subject to minor modifications):
Round One (March 3rd-6th, 2008):
• Consultant presentation of trends and statistics to community.
• Community “Visioning”- participants will have an opportunity to discuss potentials and issues in each Comp Plan subject area. Participants will also be able to represent issues and potentials graphically.
• Participants work both independently and in a small group. This exercise helps participants understand the consensus building process.
• Results of group work will be presented, by table, to the entire group.
Round Two (May 12th-15th, 2008):
• Consultant presentation and project update.
• Consultant’s present back to the community the results of the first round of sessions; results presented both graphically and in print.
• Presentation of Draft Vision Statement.
• Community “Prioritization” process. Participants respond to the results of the first series of public meetings and prioritize the goals, policies and physical design improvements that were determined in the first session.
• Again, participants will work both independently and in small groups.
• Group priorities will be presented, by table, to the entire group.
Round Three (Tentatively October 2008):
• Consultant Presentation and Project Update.
• Presentation of Redrafted Vision Statement (Based on Community Changes in Round 2).
• Presentation of Initial Land Use Buildout Scenarios for the Community to Consider.
• Interactive Participation Process whereby participants consider the impacts of each Build-Out scenario and select a preferred scenario.
Round Four:
• Consultant Presentation of Draft Vision Plan.
• Presentation of Preferred Land use Model and opportunity for community participation in modifying the scenario.
Round Five:
• Consultant Presentation of Final Vision Plan and Proposed Updates to County and City Comp Plan.
• Opportunities for Final Comments, Refining of Issues.
Community Survey (Spring 2008)
The consultant randomly distributed a mail survey to residents of both the City and County to gauge their opinions of issues related to Vision 2040. The initial rate of return was somewhat lower than expected, so additional surveys will be sent out in June to acheive a sample size sufficient for statistical validity. The results will be analyzed separately for both the City and County. The results will offer a glimpse at what the average resident is thinking, even if they cannot or choose not to participate in the public input meetings.
In addition to the mail survey, the City of Las Cruces is working with NMSU's Arrowhead Center to develop a telephone survey that will be administered in Summer 2008.
Focus Groups (March 2008) & Individual Interviews (Ongoing)
As part of the Vision 2040 process, both the consultant and staff will hold one-on-one interviews with scores of people who have detailed knowledge on various topics of importance to the plan. Members of the public may request such a meeting at any time by contacting us. Focus Groups are an attempt to consolidate what would otherwise be individual interviews for the sake of efficiency. A focus group meeting was held for each of the following subject areas in March 2008:
• Agriculture/Ranching
• Arts/Culture/History
• Business/Economic Development
• Citizens/Neighborhood Organizations
• Conservation/Recreation
• Housing/Social Services
• Real Estate Development
• Transportation
• Utilities/Infrastructure
Summaries of these meetings are available on the Documents page. Individuals or groups may suggest additional focus group meetings or topics, or request a one-on-one interview by e-mailing Tom Schuster.
Written Comments
Written comments are accepted at any time throughout the process. They can be e-mailed to tschuster@las-cruces.org, submitted using our webform, made on a comment form at any public meeting, or mailed to Tom Schuster, PO Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM 88004. All written comments will be published in an appendix to the final document, along with the individual's name.