In the Spring of 2008, the project team at Town Point Development held a public design "Charrette", or community planning meeting, with local Perryville and Cecil County, MD residents and Government agencies. The goal was to create a master plan for an 80-acre site on the fringe of the existing town. The project team’s mission was to create a sustainable community that provides a clear sense of place and identity while respecting the environment and the quality of life in Perryville, MD. The master plan and buildings that were created in collaboration with the community reflect their desire for an updated sensibility to the existing historical community. The plan gives specific care to protection of natural areas and waterways, and uses new techniques for handling storm water runoff and filtration, including green roofs, bio-swales and porous paving surfaces. The architecture reflects the historic flavor of the traditional Maryland town while addressing the modern needs of space-planning and energy efficiency. The joint planning effort between developer, residents and government officials has made for a stronger final plan and one that better serves the needs and desires of the entire community.
A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers, government officials and others collaborate on a vision for development. We will follow the guidelines of the National Charrette Institute to conduct our charrette (www.charretteinstitute.org). This process encompasses at least four days with all interested parties involved participating in the design of the community following several short feedback loops. After feedback is received, the design team will make revisions to the plan. Once a final plan is agreed upon, the result is a feasible design featuring the needs of all those involved in the process.
The charrette schedule is divided up into several sessions. It begins with an introductory public presentation of the project and ends with a concluding public showcase of the final design. Before the final design is reached, residents are invited to attend several other public workshops to participate in the design process. The most important factor in conducting a successful charrette is the participation and teamwork of all citizens.
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The Woodlands Perryville Charrette
A five day charette was conducted by the developer to solicit public involvement and comment regarding the proposed development of the site. The charette was held March 10 -14, 2008 at the Minker Banquet Hall. It included an intense design or planning process as well as numerous focus group meetings and public participation sessions. On day one, a site tour was provided and the community was invited to share their thoughts on preferences for the proposed development. Some of the comments made included:
- Protect natural areas
- Provide safe pedestrian circulation
- Provide civic facilities (community/senior center, post office, etc.)
- Connect to existing business district and neighborhoods
- Include affordable housing
- Create "small-town feel"
Days two and three were spent meeting with various community/focus groups (transportation, utilities, public safety/emergency response, business owners, government services, etc.) and preparing three alternative concept master plans for the site. At the end of day three, a public meeting was held to review the three alternatives. Plan B was preferred by most attendees; but, elements of Plan A and C were still desirable. Additional focus group meetings and revisions to the preferred plan occurred during days four and five, as well as preparation of building character (architecture) images. At the end of day four, an open house was held for public review of the planning process and progress to-date. A focus group meeting was also held for kindergarten through high school students from the area.
A public reception was held at the end of day five to review all the week’s work and to review the latest master plan and proposed building character for the development. The plan and building sketches were well received by the public and the charette process was considered a successful means of incorporating public involvement in the initial site planning process.
Town Point Development
P.O. Box 249, Chesapeake City, MD 21915 Tel/Fax: 410-630-6993 Toll Free: 800-909-6990 Email: info@woodlandsperryville.com
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