Bayfield is apparently pretty good at planning stuff.
Implementing it? Maybe not so good.
There have been more than 30 plans and studies in the town since 2005, covering everything from economic development to housing to recreation.
A consultant hired by the Town of Bayfield is using all of these plans to update the town's comprehensive plan, which dates back to 2006.
Reading all of the plans, the consultant found six different areas that consistently ranked at the top of all of those reports: utilities and infrastructure; transportation; economic development; land use balance; environment and recreation; and housing.
The consultant, RG and Associates of Lakewood, has set up four easels around town with images. Each display shows maps of the town split into six neighborhoods. Residents are asked to rank their visions of each neighborhood, covering land use, streets, walkability, and things to do.
The easels are at four locations around town: the Pine River Library, First National Bank of Durango, Bayfield Town Hall and the Pine River Senior Center. Comments are being accepted through Jan. 12.
"We want to take all these plans and put them all together and get a better, broader plan," said Mayor Matt Salka. "We need the public input. What's your vision?"
The town won't get new parks and businesses overnight, but Salka said Bayfield needs to be prepared for future growth. Currently, the town's water and sewer systems are projected to meet needs for the next 20 years.
The survey can be taken with a smart phone or tablet at the Comprehensive Plan project website www.planbayfield.com under the "Community Outreach" tab. Paper copies of the survey also are at each location.
"These easels are the next phase in setting the future vision and creating a set of strategies and recommendations for the town to achieve that vision," said T.J. Dlubac, a planning project manager. RG and Associates started working with the town in July. A needs assessment was finished in September after interviews with 14 stakeholders, followed by more input from community focus groups.
"We looked at the future population and needs, then went to the focus groups and asked what they thought those needs would be in 30 years," Dlubac said.
The Bayfield Planning Commission serves as the steering committee for this process. Dlubac said he will be in Bayfield on Tuesday for the next planning commission meeting.
"We're in the meat of it all right now," he said. "We are formulating the needs, recommendations and how to feet those future needs."
The survey and report are also available on the project's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PlanBayfield. Progress and information can also be followed on Twitter: @planbayfield.
Dlubac said the process should be finished by early spring, with results shared with the library and school districts. More input from the public will be requested in the next few months, he added.
Members of the public who comment and post on Facebook will be entered into a drawing to win prizes from local businesses.
