Planning Process and Schedule

The City of Dunkirk in partnership with the Consultant Team (Laberge Group Team) have identified several key steps necessary to prepare a successful Comprehensive Plan.

    1. Comprehensive Planning Committee Meetings: The City of Dunkirk Common Council established and appointed volunteer members to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) in the Fall of 2017. The PAC is charged with guiding the preparation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan update in coordination with the the Laberge Group Team. The PAC began meeting with the Laberge Group Team in February of 2018.
    2. Tour of the City: The PAC conducted a tour of the City  with the Laberge Group Team on February 13, 2018,  to become more familiar with the City, its assets, and resources and key areas in need of revitalization.
    3. City Department Head, Community Leaders and Stakeholder Meetings: The Laberge Group has already met with several of the City’s department heads to discuss current issues and long-term planning needs. The PAC and Laberge Group Team will also be meeting with numerous local and regional leaders along with stakeholders to understand the City’s position in the region, begin identifying key development issues, gather information to supplement existing data sources and to build support for the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan recommendations.
    4. Community Profile: Based on the review of of existing planning documents, meetings with community leaders and appropriate additional research and analysis, the PAC and Laberge Group Team will develop a summary of existing conditions, including narrative, maps and relevant data. The inventory will be used to assist in the identification of issues and opportunities for the City of Dunkirk.
    5. Public Outreach Efforts: Community participation is a central component of the Comprehensive Plan effort. Public participation should serve to inform the community and stakeholders about the project and serve as a means for the community to participate in the formulation of plans. A Spanish interpreter will be present at all public meetings and materials will be available in both Spanish and English. In addition to this Website, the following public participation elements will be used during the planning process:
      1. Visioning Open House: This Open House-style workshop will be designed to solicit ideas that articulate a “preferred future” or “vision” for the City. Using maps, participants will share their ideas on how the City should be improved conceptually. In addition, the workshop participants will be guided through an activity designed to solicit feedback regarding the City’s assets and liabilities. A Spanish interpreter will be present throughout this event.
      2. Community Survey: A Community Survey will be available in both English and Spanish to allow the community to express interest and/or concerns regarding issues in the City and to help shape the new Comprehensive Plan. This survey will be available online and in paper form.
      3. Design Charrettes: A charrette is a carefully managed, collaborative design process aimed at providing ideas that reflect the input of all participants. The goal of the charrette process will be to illustrate opportunities and design solutions for the City of Dunkirk that reflect the needs of the City. A Community Character and Future Growth Charrette will be conducted.
      4. Priorities, Projects & Goals Workshop: Using the information received from the public, stakeholders, the City and PAC, the Laberge Group Team will present the sketches developed, the Future Land Use Plan, and a series of projects and strategies for the City of Dunkirk. Workshop participants will complete an exercise to identify priorities and key goals for the City.
    6. Draft Comprehensive Plan: A Draft Plan will be developed that will tie together all elements completed throughout the planning process and will include: Goals, Strategies, and an Implementation Plan. The PAC will hold a Public Hearing on the Draft Plan.
    7. Final Comprehensive Plan. The Draft Plan will be revised based on public comments received during the Public Hearing and forwarded to the Common Council for consideration. The Common Council will hold a second Public Hearing on their draft of the Plan prior to adoption.