Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board
Leaf Out: Goals and Guidance for Trees on City Property
October 17, 2024
Agenda
Draft Situation Assessment
Summary
• Scope, Goals, Schedule • Planning Context
Community Framework
Community Engagement • Next Steps
Draft Situation Assessment Summary
• “Pre-planning”: What is the best way to engage for this project
• Understand the planning context before we start a project
• Identify key stakeholders and develop a draft engagement plan
Project Goals
• Roots – Protection of Trees & Sensitive Habitats
• Trunk – Expansion of the Urban Tree Canopy & Habitat Connectivity
• Leaves – Stewardship & Environmental Education
Project Scope
• Data-Driven: Focus on current metrics and potential future measurements to track progress
• City-owned Properties: Prioritizing tree protection and canopy expansion across public spaces (non-regulatory)
• Stewardship Campaign: Equip residents with tools and knowledge to contribute to tree conservation, both on public land and in their own backyards
Overall Process
Research
Vision
& Goals
Schedule
Research
Vision & Goals
Next Steps
Fall 2024 - Early 2025
Existing Conditions Report –Raleigh Parks Initiatives, Department Collaborations, Partner Initiatives, Data Collection
Spring-Summer 2025 Benchmarking, Visioning, Goal-setting
Fall-Winter 2025 5-year Action Plan, Internal Development Guide
Planning Context
• Reflecting Raleigh – The Next Comprehensive Plan (2024-2027)
• Community Climate Action Plan (2021)
• Raleigh’s Strategic Plan (2021-2025)
• Raleigh Parks Plan (2024
• Advancing Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan (2021)
• Wake County Land Cover Analysis & Tree Canopy Assessment (2022)
• Trust for Public Land Report: The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change (2022)
2030 Comprehensive Plan
• Required by state law to enforce zoning and development regulations
• Originally adopted 2009; update 2014-2019
• Long-term vision for the built environment
• Content includes
• 5 Vision Themes
• 18 sections, 1,138 policies, 1,000+ actions
• 30 area plans
• Growth Framework, Future Land Use Map, Urban Form Map, Street Plan
• Foundation for zoning code, development regulations
Comprehensive Plan Overview
Phase Preliminary Timeline
Phase I – Community Conversations July 2024 – July 2025
Phase II – Plan Development Aug. 2025 – Mar. 2026
Phase III – Plan Drafting April 2025 – Dec. 2026
Phase IV – Review & Engagement Jan. 2027 – June 2027
Phase V – Final Review & Adoption July 2027 – Dec. 2027
Phase I - Engagement
July 2024 – July 2025
6 Community Conversations
• Keynote address from nationallyknown practitioner
• State of the City from local subject matter expert
• Community Conversation
• Ask-A-Planner
Community Framework
• Citywide Initiative: engages all Raleigh community members
• Equity-Driven Approach: Prioritizes historically underserved communities and areas most affected by environmental challenges
Community Engagement
• Level of Participation
• Engagement Phases & Tools
• Communication Strategies
• Community Stakeholders
• Internal Engagement
• Committee & Board Engagement
Engagement Phases & Tools Engagement Tools Questions to the public
Research
• Focus Groups
• Intercept Surveying
• Event Tabling
• Online Open House & Online Survey
• What are the communities’ values, needs & connection to trees and urban forestry?
• What associated projects and planning efforts for protection, expansion, & stewardship are happening in Raleigh?
• Who should we be benchmarking against?
Vision & Goals
• Symposia & Community Conversation
• Ask-A-Planner Events
• Online Open House & Online Survey
• What should our primary goals be for tree protection, expansion & stewardship?
Engagement Phases & Tools
Engagement Tools Questions to the public
Next Steps
• Public Comment at Sustainability, Wildlife, & Urban Trees Committee
• Online Open House & Online Survey
• Do the proposed implementation strategies align with the community's vision and goals for this project?
Approval
• Public Comment at key approval meetings (SWUT, Parks Board, City Council)
• Does the final Leaf Out plan reflect the community's long-term vision for Raleigh’s urban tree canopy?
& In-Person
Flyers, Posters, & Rack Cards
Community Connector Program
Intercept Surveying
Event Tabling Digital
Stakeholder & Subscriber Emails
Social Media Ads
Community Stakeholders
• Universities
• Government Agencies
• Nonprofits & Organizations
• Private Sector
Further Engagement
• Internal Collaboration: Engaging City departments/divisions like Sustainability, Stormwater, Housing & Neighborhoods, and Public Utilities
• SWUT Committee: Monthly updates and feedback from the Sustainability, Wildlife, & Urban Trees Committee throughout the project
Next Steps
• Data Collection & Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Public Communication
Questions?