Is there a proposed land development project where there is distrust among neighbors, developer, and city officials?

The collaborative planning process described in the Collaborative Land Use Planning guidebook works without an outside facilitator. Sometimes, however, communities are so deeply divided about a proposed development project that it is hard to get started -- there is too much distrust.

A public presentation about collaborative planning can work to jump-start the process. When all parties attend a presentation together, they understand it, they hear their perceived adversaries say they would be willing to try it, and they realize that this process is the best way for everyone to achieve their goals.

Anyone who reads Collaborative Land Use Planning can initiate a public presentation about collaborative planning -- regardless of your expertise with land use decision-making. A sample promotional flyer, plus guidelines for how to attract the right audience and prepare the presentation room, and a sample press release will help you set up an effective presentation. You can make this presentation yourself or you can schedule Karl Kehde to make the presentation to your community.

The CD that comes with the Collaborative Land Use Planning guidebook gives you a 12-minute video portion of Karl Kehde giving a similar presentation and a 38-minute audio of the same presentation. It will give you an idea of what a public presentation to your group, community, or conference would be like. You can watch a 55 second Quicktime video clip of the presentation right now. (1.93 MB). If needed, download the Quicktime player.

"Karl Kehde doesn't only teach, he empowers -- that is his greatest strength. Karl has given us all the tools, knowledge and support we need to begin to better our community. He has not come in and taken over our small planning group; he has come in and given us the knowledge we need. Karl has helped us to see that we don't have to sit back and watch our town get developed; we have the power to get the community involved in the actual planning and development process!"

Donna Griff, Township Committee, Byram, NJ