SERVICES:

APPLICATION PREPARATION
Regardless of whether you are a citizen, developer, or government staff person, our expertise in preparing rezoning, special use, and variance applications will be of great assistance to you. We will meet with you to determine the overall scope of your project. From this point we will obtain, complete, and file the appropriate application with the respective office. We will also notify adjacent property owners as required by ordinance(s). All aspects of the application are completed, including the site plan, statement of intent, and the statement of need.

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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a plan that identifies how and when money will be spent for anticipated projects. The program addresses not only the modification and replacement of existing infrastructure, but also the development of new facilities, and large municipal/county expenditures. The program enables the cities and counties to identify needed projects and to coordinate financing and timing.

"The CIP has two parts: a procedure to identify and prioritize future projects and a fiscal plan to provide for the funding of these projects. The CIP describes each project proposed for development over the period - it lists the year it is to be started, the cost per year, and the proposed method of cost-sharing."

Municipal and county departments should submit projects every year for the CIP. These proposed projects should be evaluated based on predetermined and weighted criteria.

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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Active citizens have always made a difference in their communities. STRC believes an involved citizenry is essential to a strong society and healthy communities. Citizen participation programs bring citizens together across sectors to identify common concerns and identify solutions. They promote broader participation in the development issues that affect the region and the daily lives of citizens. The citizen participation process is critical to all planning services provided by STRC. Based on the belief that a key element of solutions that can be implemented is public support, we establish an effective public information and participation program.

Public involvement is conducted by facilitating:

  • Steering Committee Meetings
  • Key Person Interviews
  • Focus Sessions
  • Planning Charrettes
    • The planning charrette is a highly structured and carefully facilitated process. During a charrette meeting STRC facilitates a ranking of the most critical issues facing the community. Identified issues are organized by a variety of topics after careful consultation with stakeholder participants. The principal purpose of the "charrette" and public involvement process is to gain detailed insights into the previously identified issues impacting the preferred future of the community and to build consensus for future "Action Steps."
  • Public Opinion Surveys
  • Strategic Planning Workshops

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CODE ENFORCEMENT
Call (601) 366-8818 for more information.

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COVENANTS
Call (601) 366-8818 for more information.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Expertise in economic development planning compliments the full-service commitment STRC has to our clients.

Our services can address the needs of expanding businesses and services, while developing plans for new industry and commercial development.

We have experience in the following areas:

  • Industrial Development Planning
  • Tourism Planning
  • Economic Development Plans
  • Financing Options
  • Commercial Revitalization Projects
  • Capital Improvement Plans

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GENERAL PLANS
STRC is committed to planning and we provide planning services to cities and counties in the south. STRC staff provides services that support planning for growth and development through partnership with engineering, architectural and design firms, as well as through our strong land use regulatory experience.

We work with developers as well as the public sector, so we understand both sides of the issues inherent in comprehensive planning. Each comprehensive plan is unique and built upon a "vision" identified during a comprehensive citizen participation process. We believe that citizen involvement is very important to build a sense of ownership and achieve consensus for the plan. We use visioning workshops and focus sessions to identify key elements of the plan and formulate some action steps needed to achieve that vision. Those action steps are then translated to sound planning policy that has its roots in the will of the people.

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GRANT/PROPOSAL WRITING
Call (601) 366-8818 for more information.

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HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
STRC offers specialized planning services. We have developed expertise in a wide range of neighborhood planning activities ranging from neighborhood plans to rehabilitation projects, corridor plans, and housing infill and stabilization studies.

 

 

Representative services include:

  • Corridor Planning
  • Adaptive Reuse of Buildings
  • Rehabilitation Projects
  • Community Resource Plans
  • Housing Infill Studies
  • Neighborhood Stabilization Benchmarking

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IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES
STRC offers full implementation services, including regulatory ordinances, updates, graphics and mapping. Since our inception, we have made land use and planning regulations our hallmark and are leaders in the innovative use of technology.

Implementation services include:

  • Zoning Ordinances
  • Subdivision Regulations
  • Unified Development Codes
  • Procedure Manuals
  • Regulation Graphics
  • Sign Regulations

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LAND USE PLANNING
From simple site plans to large master-planned business parks, STRC incorporates all aspects of land planning to provide a full-service comprehensive approach. Types of representative projects include:

  • Residential site plans
  • Commercial site plans
  • Industrial site plans
  • Mixed use development plans
  • Annexation studies
  • Campus plans
  • Zoning representation
  • Design guidelines
  • Protective covenants

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MUNICIPAL SERVICES
STRC provides a full range of advisory services for municipalities. From initial planning through construction, or in discussions with a frustrated citizen. We will be there to assist and supplement your staff. We understand the importance of public awareness and emphasize communication and public relations to enhance community acceptance of your projects. Whatever your project involves--comprehensive planning, zoning, covenants, research, etc., we have the skills imperative to the success of your project.

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PLANNING ADVISORY SERVICES
Separate elements, such as zoning and subdivision administration, and related regulatory review are blended to yield a uniquely innovative advisory service, tailored to each client's needs. STRC individualizes the contract, allowing the client to select only those areas requiring expertise. Our professional services provide an extension of your staff and resources.

Planning advisory services include:

  • Regulatory Review
  • Special Studies
  • Preparing/Writing Ordinances
  • Updating City Codes
  • Annual Regulatory Updates
  • Regular Meeting Staffing
  • Code Enforcement
  • Zoning Ordinance Updates and Amendments
  • Planning Commission Training
  • Advisory Reports

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PLANNING COMMISSION TRAINING
Planning commissioners can often benefit from training sessions; whether they are new commission members who want to learn about planning, or veteran commissioners who need to keep up to date with changes in the law and planning practices.

The Program
The Planning Commission Training Series is designed to provide low-cost training for Commissioners at regularly scheduled monthly meetings and includes the following:

  • Training material that is tailored to the specific context for each community and is provided in easy-to-digest single page summaries. A binder with dividers is included for easy future reference.
  • The training seminars are included as an agenda item at the end of regular meetings and take between 15 - 20 minutes. The presentation is followed by a question / discussion period.
  • By conducting the sessions at regularly-scheduled meetings valuable training is provided without the need for time-consuming workshops which require travel and additional time commitment.
  • The Planning Commission has the opportunity to discuss its roles, procedures and planning concepts outside the context of a specific case or application. This eliminates the case-specific nature of most Planning Commission discussions and allows for a greater interaction between the Commissioners, staff and consultants.

Note: Workshops/seminars can be also be scheduled for one-day or one and one-half day sessions.

The Benefits

  • Training is tailored to the specific community.
  • A stronger relationship between Commissioners, staff and consultants.
  • Increased confidence due to more in-depth knowledge of duties and responsibilities.
  • Better decisions and decision-making procedures.
  • The community can show a clear and long-term commitment to training.
  • Reduction in meeting length due to reduced uncertainty of procedures, roles, etc.
  • Increased public awareness of planning issues (seminars are held during regular meetings open to the public).

The Topics
Topics range from "Who Does What" in the planning process to meeting procedures, development review procedures, and how to handle irate people. STRC has developed the program topics based on our conversations with clients, elected officials, and planning professionals. While general in nature, each is tailored to meet the specific context of a community to provide the type of individualized training which is necessary to address the client's needs.

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QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES
What makes a Community a great place to live? Ask several people and you might hear several different answers, ranging from good schools for the kids, plenty of parks and recreational space, clean air and water, availability of the arts or other cultural events, to a low crime rate, affordable homes, plenty of things to do, etc. Although each one of us has a unique perspective, there are standard components such as the cost and availability of housing, education and health care, which are important factors in overall well-being. Everyone wants access to a great quality of life. STRC helps communities to determine what is negatively impacting its quality of life and puts in place strategies by which these communities can overcome these situations.

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