The Planning Commissioner and the "Vision Thing"
by Elaine Cogan
Elaine Cogan explains some planning jargon to help you understand several key steps in the planning process.
summaries of other Elaine Cogan articles
Read first few paragraphs of article:
...
A few years ago, the planning profession was convinced that
communities could prosper only if they completed a process
commonly called comprehensive planning. Sometime later, the
operative phrase became strategic planning. Currently, it is
visioning. Do not let the phraseology intimidate you! Under any
name, the successful planning process is one that helps your
community realize its unique values and goals.
The following is a guide to current "plannerese" -- planning
jargon used to describe key steps in the planning process -- and
suggestions about how you can make a difference each step along
the way. ...
Benchmarks. This common word is often used in the visioning or
planning process to define measurements of success. Benchmarks
must be realistic, but they also should stretch your
capabilities -- inspire your community to reach out beyond the
here and now. A benchmark for recreation may state: "Every year
for the next five years we will increase our parkland by ten
acres."
...
[Elaine Cogan continues with guide to:
