Engage Passionately or Be Overlooked

Public engagement in city planning is limited, with awareness of meetings often restricted to property owners within a specific radius. Many communities lack effective outreach to the broader public, resulting in minimal attendance at city planning discussions. The restrictive nature of zoning codes means that most discussions focus on individual project approvals rather than holistic city planning. Comprehensive plans, despite being mandated, lack legal power and real-world impact, leading to a disconnect between community aspirations and actionable planning efforts. Consequently, participation is driven mainly by localized concerns, while citywide visions remain largely unaddressed.