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Birmingham schedules zoning‑ordinance kickoff for April; staff outlines focus‑group outreach
Summary
City planning staff told the Planning Board that consultant Halsey Levine will hold a kickoff April 22–23 including a city tour, focused small‑group sessions and a public open house; staff plans outreach via the newsletter, social media and commission meetings, and the board agreed to have members attend select focus groups.
Planning staff (Nick) told the Birmingham Planning Board on March 11 that the city’s zoning‑ordinance rewrite will formally kick off April 22–23 with consultant Halsey Levine. "They're planning their kickoff trip to Birmingham for the 22nd and the 23rd," Nick said, describing a staff‑led city tour, department meetings and a planning‑board appearance on the 22nd followed by a public open house and focused small‑group sessions on the 23rd.
Nick said the consultant plans several 10–15‑person focus groups (business owners, property owners, residents and similar stakeholders) and recommended outreach through the city newsletter, an e‑newsletter, social media and announcements at upcoming city commission meetings. He added the consultant will provide materials for a packet and that staff will seek to record or note focus‑group findings for internal use.
Board members agreed it would be useful for at least one planning board member to attend each focus group where feasible so the board can hear direct input; the board also requested a process map or schedule outlining the project timeline and expected materials in advance of the April sessions. Nick said he expects the consultant to provide a schedule and that staff will circulate invites and follow up with logistics.
Board members also asked whether residents would be served better by a resident focus group or by the public open house; staff said the consultant would advise based on experience, and the board discussed using neighborhood representatives where appropriate.
No formal vote was taken; staff said more detailed materials and a schedule would be available before the April kickoff.
