AmeriCorps RARE planner outlines citizen involvement plan update

Solwyn Dacrozek, an AmeriCorps RARE member serving as a planner at Bandon City Hall, presented a wrap‑up of work on the citizen involvement plan at the planning commission’s May 22 meeting. She said she conducted a survey to identify how residents want to be contacted and created a monthly "citizen involvement" update template for the city’s website and newsletter.

"Ultimately, the overwhelming answer was through email and on a monthly basis," Dacrozek said, describing the outreach preferences that guided the monthly update template. She recommended forming a working group or advisory committee to review proposed code updates and to propose an ordinance to ratify those updates. Dacrozek emphasized engagement approaches that would not overburden limited planning staff and urged the commission to consider a joint work session with city council and a public town hall if the commission chooses to advance the proposals.

The presenter said she assembled multiple advisory committees and held outreach events; next steps include creating a working group, finalizing materials for handing off to the next planner, and possibly holding a public town hall. No formal action was taken at the meeting to adopt changes; staff and commissioners thanked Dacrozek for her work.