Toward more transparent community development: Here's how it should be done

With all due respect to Franklin's over-worked, under-staffed Planning Staff, I'll be frank; keeping up on just a few developments here in Franklin is anything but easy. While materials are provided when I ask through an open records request, there is definitely a "if you don't ask we can't/won't tell" vibe. I can't, for example, simply "subscribe" to any and all new documents pertaining to Fountains of Franklin or Shoppes at Wyndham Village; I have to ask for each document specifically. How do you find out that a new site plan or document exists or was generated? Good question.

Want to attend any and all meetings wherein a certain project is discussed? You have to try to nab meeting agendas from multiple commissions to determine whether a project you're interested in will be discussed (Common Council, Plan Commission, Economic Development, etc.).

Take a look at how the city of DAVIS, CALIFORNIA presents ongoing development issues on its web page, in this case pertaining to a planned Target Store.

This is the way to do it. Each project has its own dedicated page (see the nicely designed Projects Page). Every development page has easily accessible and well-organized pdfs of all documents and site plans (under "Documents" and "Environmental Review" tabs), meeting schedules, updates and recaps, and a city staff contact.

Imagine this kind of online access to site plan material:

Simply outstanding and a model for all communities.

Comments

[Sara]

I'm interested in your ideas about the reforms needed for accessing public records. I agree, posting clearly and in detail on an agency's website is one of the best ways for citizens to get a clear picture of happenings in their communities.
The beginnings of a dialogue on this topic is in a wiki format at: https://wikifoia.pbwiki.com/Transparency-Reforms

I'd love to hear more from you if you interested in joining the coversation.

Thanks!