Urban Growth

Introduction

Award-winning Planning initiative

Commissioned by the county’s Board of Commissioners, this nationally celebrated, award-winning land use planning initiative represented an ambitious and robust public outreach effort. Designed to foster meaningful engagement, it brought together residents, stakeholders and local leaders to articulate shared values, goals and priorities at the county level. The initiative thoughtfully addressed the unique needs and aspirations of the diverse cities, towns and unincorporated areas within this expansive and vibrant county.

Through community forums, collaborative workshops and innovative VisionLabs, the project not only shaped a cohesive framework for viable growth but also set a benchmark for participatory planning, earning recognition as a model for counties nationwide navigating the complexities of urban and rural development. In addition to serving as a creative force alongside her colleagues on the expert consulting team, Tammy was invited to operationalize the strategy and practical outreach to the Southern region of the county.

Place & People

Spanning 1,879 square miles, this county boasts a diverse landscape that defines its character and way of life. To the west are rolling hills and suburban neighborhoods, fostering vibrant, family-oriented communities. In contrast, the eastern side rises into the rugged peaks of mountains and a national forest, including pristine lakes, dense rainforests, and winding trails ideal for hiking, skiing and camping. Local rivers invite kayaking, fishing, and rafting, while sacred Native American sites and significant natural water features enrich the area’s cultural and historical tapestry. Rural areas, with their lush forests, breathtaking vistas and fertile farmland, cultivate an outdoor-centric lifestyle, complemented by urban centers that offer historical landmarks and cultural attractions.

With a population exceeding 400,000, the county’s residents embody a rich blend of historical pride, community spirit and moderate political perspectives, shaped by its urban-rural balance and proximity to a nearby metropolitan area. The community cherishes safe, family-friendly neighborhoods, above-average public schools, and abundant parks, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where neighbors exchange warm greetings.

The county’s ~1% Native American population maintains a vibrant cultural presence, with deep ties to sacred sites despite historical forced removals to reservations in the 19th century. A diverse demographic, including ~10% Hispanic and ~15% foreign-born residents, enhances the county’s multicultural yet unified identity. United by a strong sense of place, residents are committed to preserving the county’s natural beauty and small-town charm while embracing its modern amenities.

” The essence of empowering
is believing in the qualities of people.”

– Tammy Zinsmeister –

The Challenge

The county’s relationship with the largest city in the state was shaped by its inclusion in the metro area’s urban growth boundary (UGB), managed by an elected body and authority responsible for coordinating planning across multiple counties and 24 cities. The central aim of the state’s land-use system was to curb sprawl but also sparked debates over property rights, fueling a density versus farmland feud. The county’s proximity to the largest metro area in the state created a symbiotic yet tense relationship, benefiting from economic ties while facing growth pressures. Growth in jobs offered economic benefits but also challenges, as rising housing prices pushed development pressures into the county’s urban and rural areas.

Tensions arose between cities, which sought UGB expansions to accommodate growth and provide services, and unincorporated rural areas, where residents and farmers opposed annexation to preserve agricultural and environmental resources and low-density lifestyles. For example, some cities historically allowed voter referendums to block annexations, slowing development, until a state law limited such votes. These tensions complicated the project’s efforts to engage both urban and rural stakeholders.

Purpose & Goals

The project sought to empower residents to envision and shape their communities by identifying shared values and priorities, addressing housing, transportation, environmental sustainability, and community health. The main goal of the outreach was to gather diverse input, promote walkable neighborhoods and green infrastructure, prioritize populations like Native Americans and Hispanics, low-income residents, and seniors for better resource access, and recommend infrastructure improvements while balancing urban growth with rural preservation amid UGB tensions. Engaging minority communities was essential to ensure these unique voices were heard, fostering broad buy-in and addressing disparities.

“ Dialogue can be considered as a free flow of meaning between people in communication, in the sense of a stream that flows between banks. “

– David Bohm  –

The overall project was guided by a Steering Committee of nearly 60 local officials, special district representatives and citizens to develop a work plan. The large county was divided into four regions, with an outreach liaison assigned to each region. The core team trained volunteer facilitators, leveraged fairs, service clubs, neighborhood associations and other already scheduled community gatherings, and engaged youth and the Latino community through Spanish-translated materials, Spanish-language meetings, and interpreters. Tools included facilitated discussions, maps/charts, feedback forms, interactive keypads for real-time polling, and World Café sessions for small-group conversations.

The team collected nearly 2,000 perceptionnaires at fairs, conducted a 1,400-respondent survey, and held four urban-rural focus groups. Booths, interactive displays, multilingual materials, and two produced videos ensured broad reach. Partnerships with tribal organizations, community action agencies, and senior centers prioritized engaging underserved communities, capturing perspectives from Native Americans, low-income residents, and seniors.

– Steering Committee Leadership: Guided strategy and work plan development.

–  Facilitated Discussions Attuned to Group Dynamics: Fostered productive dialogue.

– Appreciative Inquiry: Highlighted community strengths to shape vision.

– Focus Groups and Listening Sessions: Gathered in-depth urban-rural insights.

– Pop-Up Engagement and Mobile Outreach: Reached residents at fairs and events.

– Public Meetings and Workshops: Hosted over 100 discussions countywide.

– World Café Sessions: Facilitated dynamic small-group discussions.

– Story-Telling and Narrative-Based Engagement: Captured resident experiences.

–  Community Ambassadors/Liaisons: Connected with diverse groups.

– Visioning Boards and Sticky Note Exercises: Encouraged interactive input.

– Videos (Story-Telling): Two produced videos shared community narratives.

– Perceptionnaires: Collected nearly 2,000 responses at fairs and rodeos.

– Random Surveys: Polled 1,400 residents for broad insights.

– Multilingual Communication Tools: Included Spanish materials and interpreters.

–  Pop-Up Engagement Kits: Enabled mobile outreach at events.

– Event-Based Outreach: Utilized booths and displays at fairs and rodeos.

– Feedback Loops: Ensured resident input shaped outcomes.

The project delivered policy recommendations for zoning, mixed-income housing, and infrastructure like pedestrian and bicycle connections, reflecting input from the extensive perceptionnaires, survey responses, and focus groups, easing “density and farmland” tensions. It empowered residents to champion their future, building trust across urban-rural divides and minority groups, with ongoing volunteer and official efforts implementing plans in the following years. By prioritizing engaging every unique community, we enhanced access for Native Americans, low-income families, and seniors, strengthening governance. The project influenced later urban planning concepts nationwide with its all-encompassing approach.

♦ Nearly 2000 people completed perceptionnaires and comment forms.

♦  More than 100 community discussions were held across the county in a variety of settings such as Chamber Meetings, Schools, Service Clubs, Neighborhood Associations and Rotary Clubs.

♦  Six larger Community Congress’ were held to reflect and crystallize all available data to articulate shared values, goals, and priorities at the county level and the unique needs and aspirations of the individual cities, towns, and the unincorporated areas.

By empowering residents to shape their own plans for urban growth, you can bridge divides and build vibrant futures. Contact us to learn more about our expertise and experience in grassroots engagement, including our signature (Community) Strength Conferences™, which can inspire your planning efforts and deliver lasting impact for the residents who elected you.