Deliberation Day 2007 took place on Saturday March 17, 2007 in Falls Church City, Virginia. The topic was "Falls Church City - What Are We Becoming?" An online survey followed, to rate suggestions by participants on what individuals, community organizations and government should do. A full report, the results of the survey, a partial transcript and comments from survey respondents are at the links on the left. You are encouraged to comment on any of these by clicking on the comment button below. Your comments are moderated and will generally appear on this site within twelve hours. We hope, in this way, to keep the deliberation going.
Deliberation Day provided a safe public space for those well-versed and those new to City affairs to engage one another and learn. In response to stated desires for greater consultation and involvement, the event's Steering Committee is considering whether to stage mini-deliberations this Fall to reach out to a greater share of the City population. Watch this space for news or join our mailing list by sending a blank message to List@DFCCVA.org.
On Deliberation Day participants identified three key trade-offs affecting decisions on the City's future:
- How to balance the City's environment between its village legacy and a more urban future. They wanted the City to remain a unique place, but did not agree on how a village sensibility can co-exist with a more urban look and feel.
- Application of the City's master plan was cited by some as too susceptible to exceptions for developers. Others countered that the City's use of the special exception ordinance has restored economic momentum and enabled the City to bargain effectively with developers.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Some argued that urban-style redevelopment along the commercial corridors is the best way to sustain the City financially. Others countered this sacrifices the character that has made the City an attractive residential community, and called for less City spending instead.
The participants and a panel of City officials identified consultation and citizen involvement as common ground: the more consultation and involvement, the better. Respondents to the online poll emphasized that more citizens should vote, volunteer for City boards and commissions, and take part actively in civic affairs. For more information on what they said, click on the links at left to see some or all of the report.
The purpose of the report is to encourage continued deliberation about the future of Falls Church City. It does not provide answers or solutions to the challenges the City faces, but rather, it highlights the trade-offs and the common ground that emerged at Deliberation Day on March 17, 2007.
The challenges faced by the City today will return repeatedly for consideration as new opportunities and problems arise. The need for deliberation, in order to reconfirm or redefine what the trade-offs are and what the common ground is, will continue.
Establishing common ground is particularly important. It is a means to set achievable community goals, on which individuals, community organizations and government then must act. Cycles of deliberation and action can bind a community more closely together.
Deliberation Falls Church City
May 11, 2007
Continue reading "Spring Deliberation Day 2007: Trade-offs & Common Ground" »
