About the Plan

A comprehensive plan is the culmination of a community-driven effort to determine goals and a corresponding plan for the future, serving as a guide for policies, practices, and investments. The plan provides an opportunity to prioritize development and land-use patterns, identify important and potentially transformative projects, and align resources to address growth and improve a community’s quality of life.

Comprehensive plans involve an engaging process that brings people from various walks of life together to discuss their ideas and aspirations for the future. These aspirations may focus on anything from the environment, economy, infrastructure, education, recreation, or any other issue that is important to those who live, work, and play in the community.

The planning process uses a variety of tools to help communities identify and reach goals that are otherwise not discussed and ensure they are built on a foundation of collaboration with extensive public and stakeholder involvement. It engages residents and stakeholders in fun and dynamic ways to share their visions for the future, and strategize how they would like to see that future become reality.

Understanding the Context

The planning process begins with an analysis of existing conditions and trends in the community. A number of factors are considered as part of this analysis such as demographics, land use and zoning, market trends, mobility conditions and changes, and housing trends, among other community factors.

The purpose of conducting this analysis is to create a technical understanding of the community's conditions and trends to inform the development of the plan recommendations.

City map produced by OHM

Engaging the Public

One of the most crucial parts of the planning process is public engagement. The project team’s approach will ensure the widest range of participation which will allow Oberlin to uncover their community’s vision. The project team will utilize traditional engagement methods through organized public meetings held within the City of Oberlin which will incorporate interactive exercises in addition to traditional presentation methods. These meetings will be recorded and broadcasted live so that community members are able to watch and provide public comment.

An online survey will also be developed which will allow the project team to better understand the community needs and focus the development strategy to ensure that the plan benefits the community in its entirety.

Photo from a Planning project in Detroit - courtesy of OHM

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

The steering committee is made up of a group of Oberlin community members, residents, and business owners who are assembled to guide and inform the planning process. Ultimately, these community members will serve as long-term stewards of the Plan.

  • Ray English – Member of City Council, Council liaison to Planning Commission, retired from Oberlin College, member of Social Equity Working Group

  • Michael J. McFarlin – Member of City Council, Council liaison to Zoning Board of Appeals, on OCIC Board former chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, works for libraries at Oberlin College

  • Kelley Singleton – Vice-president of City Council, Council liaison to Recreation Commission, on OCIC Board

  • Greggor Mattson – Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, member of the Oberlin Public Utilities Commission, professor at Oberlin College

  • Ruth Palmer – Retired social worker (BSW, MSSA), retired as supervisor of Lorain County adoptions, former executive director of Harambee Services in Cleveland, former executive director of Harrison Cultural Center.

  • Dawn Calvert – New resident of Oberlin, assistant safety service director for City of Elyria overseeing economic development, former executive director of Team Lorain County

  • Matt Adelman – Former chair of the Planning Commission, downtown property owner and business owner

  • Bryce Johnson – Member of the Recreation Commission, athletic director at Oberlin High School

  • Heather Elmer – Member of the Oberlin Public Utilities Commission, executive director of Chagrin River Watershed Partners

  • Nancy Wall – Member of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center Implementation Team, Fire Code Board of Appeals, Housing Renewal Commission

  • Sylvan Long – Chair of the Open Space and Visual Environment Commission, serves on OCIC’s board, hydrogeologist for private company

  • Jill Sawyer – Chair of the Oberlin Community Improvement Corporation (OCIC), member of the Open Space and Visual Environment Commission, downtown property owner and business owner

  • Katie Ashwill – Chair of the Human Relations Commission

  • Jack Ford – Chair of the Planning Commission, private consultant to horticulture industry, artist

Project Team

A Collaborative Approach

KM Date Community Planning

KM Date Community Planning takes an interdisciplinary approach to every project, utilizing the skills of Ms. Date and part-time assistant planners who have experience working under her supervision as a team. Expertise in community planning, public engagement, economic development, data and GIS analysis, and survey analysis is included among KM Dates Community Planning’s possible team members.

OHM Advisors

OHM Advisors (OHM) is the community advancement firm, with 50+ years of experience making places better for people. OHM believes that something incredible grows out of a team of experts with individual specialties – ideas with bigger impact. More energy. Greater synergy. Community is at the center of everything OHM does.

Together

KM Date Community Planning and OHM Advisors expect to take a collaborative approach on the work, with members of both KM Date and OHM participating in Steering Group meetings and public charrettes, and collaborating on synthesis of ideas for each phase of the work.