What Are Advisory Groups and What Do They Do?
The City recognizes that large-scale development projects can have both positive and negative impacts on the surrounding area. To balance out these impacts, the City works with developers and residents to identify ways to offset or mitigate potential negative impacts.
An Advisory Group is a group of appointed individuals who advise the City during the development review process by:
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Reviewing and assessing the proposed project’s impacts
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Recommending mitigation options to offset the negative impacts
What is an Impact?
An impact is a result of new development that affects its surroundings, including the public realm, residents, and urban context. The Planning Department considers a proposed project’s location, size, use, and surrounding context to determine potential impacts. Impacts may be positive (such as more housing options and increased tax revenue), or negative (such as traffic or strong winds due to the shape of a building).
How do we offset these impacts?
Mitigation is provided by a proposed project to offset negative impacts of the proposed project in the area around the project. Mitigation can include changes to a building’s design, other in-kind improvements, or monetary contributions.
Frequently asked Questions
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How does an Advisory Group get assembled?
The Planning Department, acting on behalf of the Mayor, appoints up to fifteen members to form an Advisory Group. We accept recommendations from the district City Councilor, State Representative, and State Senator for the district where the project is located, at-large City Councilors, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, and Planning Department staff.
Individuals are chosen based on their connection to or knowledge of the surrounding area and their ability to provide neighborhood context to the Planning Department as staff reviews proposed impacts. These groups are typically made up of residents, business owners, institutions, or members of community organizations.
How are Advisory Groups involved in the Article 80 process?
Advisory Groups do the following:
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Review the Project Notification Form (PNF) or Institutional Master Plan (IMP)
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Attend Scoping Session (optional)
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Attend Public Meeting(s) (optional)
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Attend Advisory Group meeting(s)
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Confirm contents of the legal agreement (Cooperation Agreement)
What are some examples of project impacts?
Examples of impacts include things like: new shadows, disruption due to construction noise, more people leading to less safe road conditions, increased infrastructure usage on sewer systems, and more
What are some examples of mitigation options?
Examples of mitigation include things like: updated crosswalks at an adjacent intersection to meet accessibility standards, a Bluebike station next to a new building to accommodate new residents, or designing a rain garden to minimize stormwater runoff.
What is the difference between an IAG and a Task Force?
There are two types of Advisory Groups based on the type of project, and they have similar scopes of review. Impact Advisory Groups (IAGs) are formed to review Article 80 Large Projects and Planning Development Areas, whereas a Task Force is formed to review Institutional Master Plans and projects.
Who studies these impacts and determines the impacted area?
The Planning Department is required to determine the impacted areas of development projects. Determining that area involves weighing elements such as location, size, mass, use, transportation, and existing and proposed infrastructure.
What if I am not part of an Advisory Group?
Advisory Groups are just one way the City gathers community feedback. Whether you live, work, go to school, or are part of a nearby community organization, there are ways you can ask questions and share feedback:
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Attend Public Meetings: The Planning Department holds public meetings for all Article 80 projects.
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Some projects may also require public hearings before the BPDA Board or hearings in front of other boards or commissions.
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Submit Written Comments: Formal comment letters are a vital part of the development review process. That feedback is available on the project page, housed on the Planning Department’s website
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Stay Informed: Track updates on the project page to see how community and city input is shaping the final design.
Do Advisory Groups replace or outweigh other community voices?
The Planning Department values input from all stakeholders, including the project’s Advisory Group, other residents, and community organizations. We invite all people who live, work, go to school, or spend time in an area impacted by a new development to ask questions and share feedback.
How Can I Learn More?
The Planning Department staff has started to host information sessions to share more about the role of Advisory Groups and answer your questions. These sessions are open both to current Advisory Group members and those who are interested in learning more about how they can get involved.
These info sessions are one of the ways the Planning Department is implementing Article 80 Modernization.
For more information, please reach out to our community engagement team, [email protected].