Improved zoning options envisioned during last year’s Ranson Renewed community initiative take another step forward this week as residents within impacted areas receive, via certified mail as required by state law, notification of the update. A copy of that notice can be reviewed here while supporting documents can be found here.
There are still multiple opportunities to learn more and comment on proposed changes. Check here for the complete schedule.
Almost there.
That’s how we’d describe the work in progress towards new Ranson zoning options, an update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Fairfax Boulevard plan, and the brownfield redevelopment plans addressed during fall, 2011 public meetings.
Here’s what happens next… [cont.]
On Wednesday, September 14, Ranson and Charles Town citizens and leaders sloshed into Charles Town’s Old Opera House from a dusk downpour to celebrate the conclusion of an intensive week of planning with their consulting team.
“Unless you were on the third floor of city hall this week to watch these people work,” said Ranson Mayor A. David Hamill, “it would be hard to imagine how hard they went at it…” [cont.]
The weeklong Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected workshop concludes at 7pm Wednesday evening, September 14, at the Charles Town Opera House with a presentation by the teams working in collaboration with the community on plans and ideas to shape future growth for the region.
Here’s what attendees will see… [cont.]
If there’s a signature project among those the workshop teams are tackling this week, it’s the North-South Fairfax Boulevard/George Street thoroughfare.
The goal: To create a true boulevard that enables walkable, neighborhood-appropriate mixed uses. It’s intended to be a “green” corridor because it’s designed to make the most of state-of-the-art storm water management systems and other environmentally friendly techniques… [cont.]
[UPDATED: 09-12-11, 9:55am] There were lots of reasons not to show up Sunday night at Ranson’s Independent Fire Hall to talk about planning and zoning.
It was the 10th anniversary of 9-11-2001, when many families chose to spend the day together. A gulley-washer of a rain storm blew through just before meeting time. And there were the distractions of Sunday sports on the tube. Yet some 60 folks dropped by for the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected open house.
“I want to thank everyone who made this effort,” Ranson Mayor A. David Hamill told the crowd. “Give yourself a round of applause…” [cont.]
Two principal goals of the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected project intersect on the historic corner of Washington and George Streets in Charles Town. That’s the site of Charles Washington Hall.
The building that now occupies that space dates back to 1874, after fires destroyed previous structures. And two of the workshop’s three teams are collaborating on plans for a rehabilitation effort that will accomplish two things at once… [cont.]
It’s this simple, said PlaceMakers’ Susan Henderson, project leader for the regulatory component of the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected project:
“The intent of this new regulatory approach is to make it easier for you to do what you’re telling us is important to you and your community.”
On Saturday, September 10, Henderson and others from the consulting team assigned to the Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected project discussed the role of zoning in helping to guide growth in character with the region’s character… [cont.]
Four meetings, designed to drill down more deeply into hopes and concerns surrounding issues at the heart of the weeklong Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected workshop, took up most of the day on Friday, September 9.
Members of the consulting team led discussions about the transformation of Fairfax Boulevard-George Street into a more vibrant gateway into Ranson; about the conversion of historic Charles Washington Hall into a commuter center; about the regional economy; and about real estate development in keeping with a new zoning approach… [cont.]
More than 80 folks turned out on a rainy Thursday night, September 8, for the kick-off of a weeklong workshop to shape the future of the Ranson/Charles Town region.
The evening was part celebration of what’s already taken place, the coming-together of the two towns in an historic planning effort, and part introduction to an intensive week of collaboration… [cont.]
Ranson and Charles Town's next 100 years begin now.
From September 8 through the 14th, we're charting the course for our next century. And everyone's invited.
In an unprecedented week-long mega-workshop, city officials, residents, business community and a team of international consultants will be considering ideas and actions to help guide Ranson, Charles Town, and Jefferson County towards a future rich in opportunity for our families and businesses.
The Ranson-Charles Town community has been selected by HUD, DOT and EPA to serve as a national model for how small rural cities on the fringe of a major metropolitan area can foster sustainable economic development, transit, and community livability through targeted and strategic planning and infrastructure investments.
To facilitate this transformative change, planning funds are being used for the following linked and interdependent project components:
+ 
Develop a new zoning overlay district for downtown, as well as undeveloped, outlying areas of the Cities;
+ 
Redesign the Fairfax Boulevard-George Street Corridor into a "complete street" with green infrastructure, to promote a better transportation route for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit;
+ Design a new regional Charles Washington Commuter Center in downtown Charles Town that will facilitate access to regional rail and bus transit systems for Ranson, Charles Town and Jefferson County; and
+ 
Create a master plan for downtown Ranson that spurs job growth and economic development in former dilapidated manufacturing sites.
It all starts with an opening presentation on September 8.
“We couldn’t be happier about the way this process is shaping up,” says Ranson Mayor A. David Hamill. “It is our goal to continue evolving Ranson into a vibrant community where residents can live, work, and recreate within cohesive neighborhoods. Exciting things are beginning to happen, and I expect the next 12 to 18 months to be even more exciting as the real work begins to plan our future.”
Come, and lend your voice. There'll be all kinds of ways to participate, even for events you can't attend in person. So don't miss it.
FEDERAL GRANTS
This video explains the grants, along with the process overall.
| « Jan |
|
Mar » |
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | |||
 | 
|
