The Cultivating Concepts Conference was the third step in the Concept Plan Stage of the In My Backyard: Community Outreach for Community Consensus process. The conference featured expert speakers to address different aspects of the five Pathways.  The speakers provided participants with general information and additional viewpoints on the various topics that may be discussed during the Community Outreach for Community Consensus process.  Their presentations included information on why it is important to address the topic with this process, some factors to consider, and some of the best practices used by other jurisdictions.  The conference also included a Visual Preference Survey, which uses images and simulations to help participants focus on how they would like to see development occur in the future.  The conference also included a youth planning charrette.  This one-and-a-half-day conference started on a Friday afternoon and concluded the next day.  More information is provided below.

Click Here to Download a Copy of the Brochure

Click Here to Download a Copy of the Official Agenda

Directions to the Conference

For directions to the conference and a map of the community college buildings, please visit the following link to Carroll Community College's web site. 

http://www.carrollcc.edu/campus/maps/default.asp?nvtk=bc

Topics & General Agenda

Friday, January 13, 2006 -- 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

(check-in starting 12:30)

The Cost of Growth & Development - Marita Brown

Government has to decide on a level and mix of taxes and expenditures to meet the needs and preferences of the population.  The speaker addressed factors that go into these decisions.  Click here to download a copy of Marita Brown's presentation (78 KB).

Impact of Economic Development on Quality of Life - Brad McDearman

Availability of jobs, ability to live where you work, and aesthetics of business and industrial development contribute to quality of life.  Click here to download a copy of Brad McDearman's presentation (149 KB).

Commercial Development:  Thinking Out of the Box - McDuffie Nichols

Many options exist to foster a blend of commercial development, land use, and historic preservation that meets a community's needs and helps to maintain an area's heritage.  Click here to download a copy of Mac Nichol's presentation (724 KB).

Saturday, January 14, 2006 -- 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM

(check-in starting 8:30)

Importance of Natural Systems to Sustainable Development - Rebecca Winer

A balance needs to be struck between development and sustaining the natural systems, placing increased importance on a comprehensive approach to managing development and the environment.  Click here to download a copy of Rebecca Winer's presentation (8.5 MB).

Significance of Architecture & Aesthetics in Development - Ralph Bennett

This session described some principles of successful community design and illustrated the principles with examples which meet the standards of Smart Growth.  Click here to download a copy of Ralph Bennett's presentation (3.6 MB).  Click here to download a copy of the outline that accompanied Ralph Bennett's presentation (3.6 MB).

Improving Residential Development - Karen McJunkin

Current regulations in many communities offer many helps and hindrances to successful community design.  Click here to download a copy of Karen McJunkin's presentation (20.8 MB).

Saturday, January 14, 2006 -- 12:15 PM to 1:10 PM -- LUNCH

Saturday, January 14, 2006 -- 1:10 PM to 3:00 PM

Visual Preference Survey - Anton Nelessen

This survey used pictures and comparisons to help attendees focus on how they would like to see future development occur.  Click here to link report describing the survey results, which can be found under the Online Particpation page.

Youth Planning Charrette

Saturday, January 14, 2006 -- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

(check-in starting 8:30, timeframe includes lunch)

Today's kids are tomorrow's community leaders.  The Pathways Plan community outreach process is an excellent chance for kids to learn about and get involved in shaping the future of the county.  Kids can provide a different outlook on what is special about our communities and what is needed.  The charrette was a series of activities designed for children from grades one through twelve.  The purpose of the activities was to provide a learning opportunity, as well as provide staff with additional feedback.  This event was also held at Carroll Community College.  Parents of children involved in the charrette were encouraged to participate in the conference.

For more information on the youth planning charrette and the kids' projects, please visit the Youth Planning Charrette on the Youth Participation page of this web site.