Get Involved

The outcomes of the Los Alamos County Downtown Master Plans & Code Update project rely heavily on input solicited during public outreach. Both project phases will have a series of outreach events and provide continuous opportunities for input through a variety of outreach channels. Due to the Governor’s Public Health Order currently in place for COVID-19, public outreach efforts will focus on virtual outreach events. In the case of a revised order, outreach methods will be adjusted to serve the greatest number of participants in a safe environment.

 

Project Tasks / Schedule

The project is divided into two phases: Phase 1 includes the creation of two Downtown Master Plans for White Rock and Los Alamos, while Phase 2 consists of an update of Chapter 16 of the Los Alamos County Development Code. Both phases include several associated sub-tasks.

Phase 1 consists of the following tasks:

  • Task 1: Background Research & Existing Conditions Analysis
  • Task 2: Visioning & Design Workshops
  • Task 3: Draft/ Final Master Plans
  •  Task 4: Adoption Process
Project Schedule

TASK 1: BACKGROUND RESEARCH & EXISTING CONDITIONS

During Task 1, the Background Research & Existing Conditions Analysis, the project team will examine existing regulatory and adopted documents along with physical, economic and social conditions and determine opportunities and constraints for both downtown areas. The team will research other similar downtown efforts and summarize strategies that provide the best fit for the downtown areas. This task serves to gain a better understanding of the project areas and the existing realities related to each site while finding viable examples and best practices to present during the next task. The project team will meet with key stakeholders including but not limited to business owners, County staff and other related organizations, in efforts to learn about the two study areas.   

  • Disseminate information throughout the project timeline and announce meetings, milestones and project-related tasks, and
  • Provide opportunities for interactive engagements with StoryMaps, surveys and discussion forums. (StoryMaps are interactive Geographic Information System (GIS)-based maps that allow the community to add stories, images and comments. They serve as crowdsourced information based on a specific place. Surveys will be designed and scheduled to support the virtual public meetings to collect information prior to the meetings and verify input received. The discussion forums will serve to ask project-specific questions and create a productive discussion about the project).

The project website will be an integral part of this effort and create a link between the project team, on-going work tasks and the community. Anything created, scheduled and published will be hosted here.

Stakeholder Interviews

As part of the Existing Conditions phase, the consultant team and County project managers scheduled three stakeholder meetings with County staff, LANL and local businesses. The goal of these meetings was to gain understanding of the existing conditions in and around the downtown areas. These meetings focused on listing to the different stakeholder groups to learn about existing and future projects, their challenges and experiences within the two downtown areas.

The existing conditions phase of work will be followed by two public visioning workshops to brainstorm on what the downtown areas should look, feel and function like.  The knowledge gathered from the existing conditions phase of work will inform the project going forward.  

The following exhibits were created during the meeting to capture what stakeholders communicated.

Task 2 Visioning & Design Workshops

Task 2 will initiate the public engagement campaign. During this task a series of events will be scheduled with two main meetings: the Visioning Workshops followed by Design Charrette (workshops). 

Specific events for each downtown area will be organized. As of now, it is anticipated that the events are facilitated virtually to adhere to the COVID-related public health orders. The virtual meetings will be hosted on Zoom Webinar and designed to maximize input. In addition to the virtual meetings, project information will be exhibited at public venues to allow community members without internet access to acquire information, participate and provide input. The project team will also organize project pop-up kiosks in White Rock and Downtown Los Alamos to provide information and solicit additional input.  Throughout Task 2, the project website will be periodically updated to include an FAQ section, allowing the community to have a productive discussion while soliciting input with surveys and StoryMaps to maximize feedback and participation.

After the visioning and workshop phase, the project team will gather, summarize and analyze the input received and present the findings during a virtual public meeting. The team will also present the design frameworks and concept alternatives created during the workshop to gain additional feedback and have a productive discussion about the direction of the downtown master plans.

Task 3: Draft/ Final Master Plans

Task 3 will be the generation of a draft master plan document for both downtown areas informed by the workshops and subsequent community input. The team will refine the concept alternative and create a draft master plan document which will be posted to the website for review and discussion purposes.

Task 4:  Adoption Process

After comments are received, a revised and final master plan will be created which will be submitted to Council for adoption. Associated public meetings and comment periods will follow in order to allow the community to comment and the project team to adjust the final document.