PC 08-19-92 Meeting AgendaFILE COPY
AGENDA
FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The Old Frederick County Courthouse
Winchester, Virginia
AUGUST 19, 1992
7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER TAB
1) Bimonthly Report...........................................A
2) Committee Reports .......................................... B
3) Citizen Comments .......................................... C
4) Subdivision application #006-92 of Deer Run at Sherando for twenty five patio
homes on 55.43 acres. This property is located north and adjacent to State Rt.
277, east of Stephens City, in the Opequon District.
(Mr. Miller) .............................................. D
5) Discussion with Mrs. Pat Bransher, Delco Development Property Manager,
regarding establishing a Food Lion Grocery Store in the former Dart Drug.
(Mr. Wyatt) ............................. E
6) Resolution re: signalized traffic light at Sherando High School.
(Mr. Wyatt)................................................F
7) General discussion regarding the effectiveness of our public participation
program.
(Mr. Watkins) ............................................. G
8) Other (no attachment)
........................................................ H
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Frederick County Planning Commission
FROM: Robert W. Watkins, Secretary
SUBJECT: Bimonthly Report
DATE: August 11, 1992
(1) Rezonings Pending: (dates are submittal dates)
Twin Lakes 4/04/90 (Shaw) (RA to B2/RP)
John & Jane McAllister 7/09/92 (Opeq) (RP to B2)
(2) Rezonings Approved: (dates are BOS meeting dates)
None
(3) Rezonings Denied: (dates are_BOS meeting dates)
None
(4) Conditional Use Permits Pending: dates are submittal dates
John Merrill
05/06/92
Gain
Off premise sign
Joan & Kristi Riggleman05/29/92
Gain
Bridal Consultant
Charles & Faye Grady
06/25/92
Opeq
Dog Kennel
Lewis Boyer, II
07/08/92
Shaw
Landscaping
Business
Diane McMillian
08/06/92
Opeq
Stencil Sales &
Service
(5) Conditional Use Permits Approved: dates
are approval dates
None
(6) Site Plans Pending:
(dates are
submittal
dates)
Wheatlands Wastewater
Fac. 9/12/89 Opeq
trmt.facil
Grace Brethren Church
6/08/90
Shaw
church
Flex Tech
10/25/90
Ston
Lgt. Industrial
Hampton Chase
12/18/90
Ston
S.F. & T.H.
2
Lake Centre 05/15/91 Shaw
Red Star Express Lines 05/24/91 Ston
Winchester Airport 03/02/92 Shaw
Freeton 04/27/92 Opeq
Greenwood Bapt. Church 05/07/92 Shaw
Signal Station 06/25/92 BkCk
Winchester Church of God 07/29/92 BkCk
Townhouses
Whse. Addition
Increased safety
zone/road relocation
Townhouses
Church & Parish
Car wash addition
Church
(7) Site Plans Approved: (dates are approval dates_l
None
(8) Subdivisions Pending: (dates are submittal dates
Deer Run @ Sherando 07/17/92
Opequon
(9) Subdivisions Pending Final Admin. A roval: (PIC aRRroval
dates
Abrams Point, Phase I
Frederick Woods
Hampton Chase
Lake Centre
Fredericktowne Est.
(sections 5, 6 and 7)
Coventry Courts
Senseny Glen
Freeton
Battlefield Partnership
Fairfax Drive Ext.
6/13/90
5/16/90
02/27/91
06/19/91
10/16/91
Shawnee
Opequon
Stonewall
Shawnee
Opequon
12/04/91 Shawnee
12/04/91 Shawnee
05/20/92 O p e. q u o n
05/20/92 Back Creek
08/05/92 Opequon
(10) PMDP Pending: (dates are submittal dates)
Preston Place
08/10/92
Shawnee
(11) FMDP Pending Administrative Approval: (dates are BOS approval
dates
Battlefield Partnership 04/08/92 Back Creek
Hampton Chase (revised) 05/27/92 Stonewall
reeton Vw� V8
'F / mac. Opequon.
(12) FMDP Administ. Approved (dates are admin. approval dates)
None
3
(13) Board of Zoning Appeals Applications Pendin submit. dates
Wm. H. Pfahl 07/06/92 Opeq
H. Bruce Edens 07/17/92 Ston
Rbt. & Tamara Symons 07/24/92 Shaw
Rbt. & Sherrill Price 07/24/92 Opeq
(14) BZA Applications Approved• (approval dates)
None
(15) BZA Applications Denied•
None
Adm. Appeal
7.5' Sign Setback
18' Garage
5' Addition
(16) PLANS RECD. FOR REVIEW FROM CITY OF WINCHESTER
None
P/C Review Date: 8/19/92
SUBDIVISION APPLICATION
#006-92
DEER RUN AT SHERANDO
25 Lots on 55.43 Acres
LOCATION: North and adjacent to State Route 277, east of Stephens
City and east of State Route 641
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Opequon
PROPERTY ID NUMBER:. 86000OA0001020
PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE: Zoned R -P (Residential Performance)
and B-2 (Business General) - land use - vacant and residential
ADJOINING PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE: Zoned RA (Rural Areas),
R -P (Residential Performance), B-2 (Business General) - land use -
vacant, residential and commercial
PROPOSED USE: 25 Patio homes
REVIEW EVALUATIONS:
Virginia Dent. of Transportation: Plans have been forwarded
to our District Office in Staunton for review. once we are in
receipt of any comments we will forward them to you.
Fire Marshal: Please post temporary street signs and lot
numbers during construction. Burning of construction debris
on site is prohibited. Access for emergency vehicles must be
maintained at all times during construction.
Ins ections De artment: Building shall comply with the VA
Uniform Statewide Building Code and Section 309, Use Group R
(Residential) of the BOCA National Building Code/1990.
Sanitation Authority: First review - 19 items - correct and
resubmit.
2
Health Department: The Health Department is unaware of any
reason for objection to the project subject to the comments by
the Department of Health Office of Water Programs. See
attached letter from Harold T. Eberly, District Engineer,
dated June 29, 1992.
County Engineer: See attached letter from Harvey E.
Strawsnyder, Director of Engineering and Inspections, dated
June 25, 1992.
Parks & Recreation: Plan appears to meet open space and
recreational unit requirements. Absorbent material must be
used under playground equipment. All public facilities must
meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Frederick Co. Public Schools: See attached letter from Thomas
Sullivan, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent,
dated June 2, 1992.
Planning & Zoning: The developer of this property has
selected the zero lot line (ZLL) option for this patio home
development. The development, as depicted, is in conformance
with the zoning and subdivision ordinances. There are several
review agency comments that need to be addressed. The tot lot
that is off site to the west would seem to be out of place.
The reason for this is that little use is anticipated from
residents of these patio homes and the lot can be used by the
single family residents to the northwest when this property
develops. Sidewalk access will eventually exist along
Jefferson Court and extending those walks to provide walking
access to the tot lots at this time appears to be the best
short term solution.
The street names depicted in the plan are not correct in
one instance (should be Jefferson Court vice Jefferson
Village Court), and the other one (Deer Run Lane) has
been used at another County location.
Since site plans are not required for these homes, it is
important to highlight some requirements as listed in the
zoning ordinance. One bedroom patio homes must have a
minimum patio area of 700 square feet and the patio must
be enclosed by an opaque wall or fence of five to six
feet in height. A minimum of two off street parking
spaces must be provided for each residence. A statement
will need to be included on the plats that establishes a
maintenance easement on adjoining lots next to the
building. Windows are prohibited on the ZLL side.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR 8/19/92 PC MTG.: Approval with the
requirement that all review agency comments be complied with prior
to final plat approval.
This office has reviewed the Village at Sherando development site plan you
forwarded. Based on our review, please be advised that the Frederick County
Sanitation Authority has sufficient water and sewer capacity available to serve the
proposed development and that plans and specifications for the proposed water and
sewer facilities should be submitted to the Frederick County Sanitation Authority for
review and approval under the Authority's local review program.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me
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49-7
COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
ROBERT B. STROUBFM.O.
COMMISSIONER
Department of Health ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FIELD OFFICE
Office of Water Programs 129SOLRHRANDOLPHSTREET
LE)ONGTON, VIRGINIA 24450-2328
PHONE (/03)463-7136
MEMORANDUM FAX (703)463-3892
DATE:
June 29, 1992
TO:
Jim Webb, Environmental Health Specialist
Frederick County Health Department
FROM:
Harold T. Eberly, District EngineerN%
Office of Water Programs
Lexington Field Office
SUBJECT:
Frederick County - Water - Frederick County Sanitation Authority
(General)
Frederick County - Sewerage - Frederick County Sanitation
Authority (Stephens Run)
This office has reviewed the Village at Sherando development site plan you
forwarded. Based on our review, please be advised that the Frederick County
Sanitation Authority has sufficient water and sewer capacity available to serve the
proposed development and that plans and specifications for the proposed water and
sewer facilities should be submitted to the Frederick County Sanitation Authority for
review and approval under the Authority's local review program.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me
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FREDERICK COUNTY ENGINEER
9 NORTH LOUDOUN STREET, 2ND FLOOR
WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA 22601
(703) 665-5643
SUBDIVISION
DATE: June 25, 1992
PROJECT: Village at Sherando
Patio.Homes
East of Stephens City
Frederick County, Virginia
DESIGNER: Ron Mislowsky
G. W. Clifford & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 2104
Winchester, Virginia 22601
COMMENTS
1. Provide a method of dispersing flows from outfall of 1511
RCP. These flows will be released on a relatively steep
slope which could result in erosion. A portion of this
erosion could occur on neighboring property in
Fredericktowne Estates. The proposed EC -1 -will probably
not be sufficient based on my observations of similar
occurrences in Jefferson Village. I suggest a grouted rip -
rap designed to disperse the flows to a manageable velocity
which will not cause erosion.
2. A detailed stormwater plan is not required for this
project. However, any additional development in this area
will require a stormwater management study to minimize the
impact on Wrights Run.
3. Except for the EC -1 shown at the outfall of the 15" RCP the
erosion and sediment control plan is approved as
submitted..
Harney E Strawsnyder, J . , P W.
Director of Engineers g aad
Inspectio s17
D
Frederick County Public Schools
1415_ -Amherst Street -
Post Office Box 3508
Winchester, Virginia 22601-2708
Telephone: (703) 662-3888 — FAX (703) 722-2788
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
June 2, 1992
G.W. Clifford & Associates
200 North Cameron Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Attention: Ron Mislowsky
Dear Ron:
I am in receipt of you request for comments concerning the
Village at Sherando (formerly Evans/Synder) at the following
location: north and adjacent to Street Route 277, east of Stephens
City and approximately 1750' east of Street Route 641.
Approximately 1.75 miles east of I-81 and identified at tax parcel
86-A-102.
It is our understanding that the proposed use of this property
is for the construction of 25 patio homes as indicated in the
plans.
We feel that this proposal will have an impact on current and
future school facilities. We recommend that these concerns be
addressed during the approval process.
Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience if
you should require any additional information.
Sincerely,
C=4
Tho as Sullivan
Administrative Assistant
to the Superintendent
lul IT Nam
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Date:16 July 1992
V L7 0 YE !'
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APPLICATION AND CHECKLIST
SUBDIVISION
FREDERICK COUNTY VIRGINIA
Application #:- DCX, Fee Paid c/
Applicant/Agent: QEJP Corp. /G.W.Clifford &,Associates
Address: 322 Burnt Factory Road
Stephenson, Va 22656
Telephone: 1703) 662-4121
Owners name: JEJP Corp.
Address: 322 Burnt Factory Road
Stephenson, Va 22656
Telephone: 703) 662-4121
Phone: (703) 893-7500
Please list names of all owners, principals, and/or majority
stockholders:
John & Jane McAllister
Contact person: Rom Mislowsky
Phone: 703 667-2139
Name of Subdivision: Deer Run @ Sherando
Number of Lots: 25 Total Acreage: 55.4293 Ac.
Property Location: North & Adjacent to St. Rte 277 east of
Stephens City and 1750 ± east of St. Rte. 641. Approx. 1.75
Miles east of I-81.
(Give State Rt.#, distance and direction from intersection)
Magisterial District: Opeauon
Tax ID Number: 86-A-102
Property zoning and present use: RP/B-2 Vacant & Residential
Adjoining property zoning and use: RA (Vacant). RP Residential &
B-2 Pro osed Ca itol Properties Shogoing Center
Has a master Development Plan been submitted for this project?
Yes X No
If yes, has the final MDP been approved by the Board of
Supervisors? Yes X No
What was the MDP title? The Village @ Sherando
Does the plat contain any changes from the approved MDP?
Yes No X
If yes, specify what changes.
Minimum Lot Size (smallest lot): 3834 sf
Number and types of housing units in this development:
Number 25
Types Patio Homes
I COUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
703/665-5651
FAX 703/678-0682
MEMORANDUM
TO: Frederick County Planning Commission
FROM: Evan A. Wyatt, PIanner II
RE: Delco Plaza Food Lion
DATE: August 4, 1992
Pat Bransher, Delco Development Property Manager, has requested time to address the
Planning .Commission during the August 19, 1992 meeting. Mrs. Bransher is working with
representatives from Food Lion to utilize a portion of the old Dart Drug building in Delco
Plaza. Mr. Bruce Edens of Greenway Engineering has prepared a plan indicating the
existing situation at this location (dashed lines), as well as a planned reduction in the floor
area to accommodate Food Lion (solid lines). Greenway Engineering will submit a detailed
site plan for review by all county agencies at a later date. The purpose of this discussion
is to inform the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors of plans to revitalize
this shopping center.
Staff asks that the Planning Commission allow administrative approval authority once all site
plan requirements have been met.
THE COURTHOUSE COMMONS
9 N. Loudoun Street - P.O. Box 601 - Winchester, Virginia - 22601
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
703/665-5651
FAX 703/678-0682
MEMORANDUM
f
TO: Frederick County Planning Commission
c
�J 5 �
FROM: Robert Watkins, Director O1�
SUBJECT: Discussion on Public Participation e -
DATE: August 5, 1992
Occasionally, we will
Commission meetings.
participation program.
� J�
�9
be including time for some general discussions in the Planni g 1'.1
I believe that we need to discuss the effectiveness of our public
I believe that Frederick County has been effective in bringing plans and programs to the
public for their comment and review in recent years. However, I don't believe that this is
necessarily enough. It may not be enough to bring planning projects to the public in a
completed or partially completed form. More people need to be involved in the initial
process of learning what the important issues are. They need to be involved in the process
of determining objectives, setting strategies and designing solutions.
Most importantly, people need to be involved so that they can become better educated
about the issues and implications of the positions they take. If we bring full blown policies
to people without giving them the opportunity to learn about the issues and implications we
are bound to get responses with a relatively narrow focus. I believe that more people need
to be given the opportunity to have issues explained to them and to become involved in well
organized group discussions.
There are a number of participation tools being used around the nation. Attached are
materials describing some methods being used. One problem associated with all public
participation methods is the demands they can place on staff and Planning Commission
time. Nevertheless, I believe that we need to continue to examine our public participation
methods.
RWW/slk
attachment
THE COURTHOUSE COMMONS
9 N. Loudoun Street - P.O. Box 601 - Winchester, Virginia - 22601
jqD Zoe&f,
Specializing in Conflict Resolution through community involvement,
participatory problem -solving and consensus -building.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: DESIGNING SOLUTIONS THAT
REFLECT THE COMMUNITY
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION INFORMATION PACKET
CONTENTS:
l.Objectives, Assumptions, and a Definition
of Citizen Participation
2. Strategy for Effective Citizen Participation
3. Eight Practical Methods for Community
Involvement Programs
4. A Problem Solving Method for Small Group
Discussions
5. Brainstorm: A Group Creativity Method
6. Interactive Workshop Format Diagram
PaL,e
1-2
3
4-12
13
14
15
APPLEBY INC., DECEMBER 1991
c/o Michael D. Appleby, Ph.D. • 1533 Clay Street • Blacksburg, VA 24060. 703 / 951-8031
OBJECTIVES, AqqTTM1PT10?vS-N
OF COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
Over the years an interactive approach to the design and implementation of
community involvement has been used with considerable success. This
approach is based on the definition, objectives and assumptions presented
here.
I. Definition of Community involvement
In a particular public decision-making process, a community
involvement effort can be defined as: "A con inuing, dynamic process of
w -wav communication hetween the publicn lic aen ie r
decision mak r ring which Choices are n inu ll made and thgfig-id
f choice is narrowed—until a final Eofution/121anZl2rograrn is arrive "
II. Obiectives Qf Community Involvement
1. To inform and educate the public regarding the problems and choices and
their associated impacts and opportunities.
2. To identify and document the needs, values, and goals of various affected
portions of a community.
3. To fully inform decision -makers of the impacts, values, etc. associated with
a proposed public action.
4. To incorporate community needs, goals, and opinions into a planning and
decision-making process.
5. To identify conflict and provide a process by which it can be resolved.
6. To achieve substantial community agreement that is flexible, fair' desirable
and politically feasible.
III. to Communitv involvement
1.
Technicians or
planners know
their technology people know their own
values,
attitudes,
preference and
goals.
2.
There
is no single
set of values
in most communities.
3.
Public
decisions
affect different
people in different ways.
4.
Public
priorities
can change with
new information or changed situations.
=1-
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OBJECTIVES AND ASSUMPTIONS, PAGE 2
IV. What Does It Mean To BeInvolved
The type and extent of involvement of citizens can vary from situation to
situation. An individual's involvement can include any or all of the
following:
1. Receive information
2. Give information
3. Participate in making choices of alternative proposals (although often not
the final choice_)
4. Support or oppose the final choice m� by those with the ultimate
decision-making responsibility.
APPLEBY INC., DECEMBER 1991
-2-
STRATEGY FOR EF=FECTIVE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
ANALYZE THE PROJECT OR PROGRAM
LLLJJJ FOR IMPORTANT STEPS & DECISIONS
• Review the planning or design process
• Determine critical points for public interaction
DEVELOP A COMMUNITY PROFILE AND
DESCRIPTION OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS
• Develop profile of all affected/ interested communities
• Describe major and minor issues and concerns
CLARIFY INFORMATION NEEDS
• For affected/ interested communities and groups
• For project or program staff
SELECT APPROPRIATE COMMUNICATION
AND INVOLVEMENT METHODS
• Methods for providing information to the public
• Methods for gathering information from the public
• Interactive communication methods
DETERMINE A PROCESS FOR DOCUMENTING
AND USING PUBLIC INPUT
• Clarify the role of public input at each phase
of planning and decision-making
• Determine method for reporting public input
to planners and decision -makers
OUTLINE A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
WITH THE STAFF AND DECISION -MAKERS
• Methods, Activities and Tasks
• Schedule
• Budget
• Staff roles and responsibilities
• Evaluation procedures
7� TONER b ASSOCIATES. INC.
8 PRACTICAL METHODS FOR
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS
1 PUBLIC MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS
2 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES
3 SURVEYS
4 PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
5 SPECIAL PURPOSE MEETINGS
6 MASS MEDIA
7 DIRECT MAIL
8 PUBLIC HEARINGS
Developed by Toner & Associates, Inc. , Seattle
1
PUBLIC MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS
PROBLEMS
Participants may not represent all points
of view.
Limited time to share complicated and
lengthy issues.
Some citizens do not have time or inclina-
tion to attend meetings.
May be dominated by vocal minority, or
public officials or leaders.
Polarity can be increased.
NOTES:
OPPORTUNITIES
Provides an interpersonal forum for
two-way exchange of information.
Can diffuse conflict caused by lack
of information and opportunity for
expression.
Can provide documentation of citizens"
values, attitudes and opinions,
individually and in groups.
Provides the agency an opportunity to
get to know a community and vice -
versa.
Can be useful at any step in the
planning process.
Provides an opportunity for participa-
tion to all citizens
a
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES
PROBLEMS
Does not necessarily represent the
community.
May become biased towards agency.
Difficult to sustain participation.
Limited participation for public.
May advocate certain solutions rather
than communication process.
May be viewed by public as hindering
ier than helping communication.
May demand decision-making powers.
NOTES:
OPPORTUNITIES
Can legitimize planning process.
Can provide valuable information about
affected communities.
Can help identify critical issues, new
alternatives, potential conflict and
opportunities for solutions for study
team.
Can help develop and test "communi-
cation content" such as survey
questions, workshop presentations,
discussion questions, newsletters.
Can help encourage wider participation
from public and give study visibility.
3
SURVEYS
PROBLEMS
Can be easily biased and misused.
Require a great deal of expertise.
May be regarded with some skepticism
by the public and challenged as "invalid. "
Is not a visible communication forum to
general public.
NOTES:
OPPORTUNITIES
Can provide information that can not
be gained in any other way.
Can obtain a true rdpresentative
sample of public opinions and
attitudes.
Can provide a base of information to
compare with public meetings results.
Can be used to help inform the public
about themselves.
Can provide opportunity for in-depth
probing of citizens' attitudes and
opinions on a one-to-one basis.
4
PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
PROBLEMS
Public may be skeptical about list of
people interviewed.
May not be a visible form of communica-
tion to general public.
NOTES:
2
O P PORTUNI TIES
Provides an informal opportunity for
in-depth communication on a one-to-
one basis.
Viewed by community leaders and
officials as an opportunity for
expressing leadership to agency.
May reduce conflict between agency
and community leaders by opening
up personal communications.
5
SPECIAL PURPOSE MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS
PROBLEMS
Gaining participation of critical parties.
NOTES:
OPPORTUNITIES
Provides a forum to resolve conflict
and give special attention to specific
issues for specific groups such as:
Public Officials
Community Leaders
Special Interest Groups
Agencies and Institutions
Neighborhood Groups
Administrators
Study Team Members
6
MASS MEDIA
PROBLEMS
Newspaper circulation or T. V. and radio
audience varies from place to place and
may have substantial limitations.
News stories are brief and editied by
media people, not the agency.
Meeting announcements may be read by
very limited numbers of people.
Each agency must compete for time and
attention.
Provides only one-way communication.
NOTES:
101—
OPPORTUNITIES
Many people rely on T.V. and news-
paper for much of their information.
More emphasis on public service
and information problems.
Is a fast way to provide information.
7
DIRECT MAIL
PROBLEMS
May be overlooked by citizens as "junk
mail" or simply not read.
Provides only one-way communication
unless it contains mail -back question-
naire.
NOTES:
OPPORTUNITIES
Can be targeted to exact population
that agency wishes to inform.
Can be personal and gain attention.
Can contain brief or in-depth infor-
mation on an issue.
Agency has editorial control and can
insure information is factual and
unbiased.
8
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PROBLEMS
Often come too late in the decision-
making process. Citizens may feel major
decisions have already been made.
Formality imposes an authoritarian
atmosphere.
An individual may have to wait hours to
speak.
Lack of opportunity for interaction and
in-depth discussion of critical issues.
NOTES:
2 Iwo
OPPORTUNITIES
Provides a final opportunity to express
opinion.
Comments are documented usually
for a verbatim transcript or record.
A PROBLEM -SOLVING PROCESS FOR
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Everyone has been involved at some time in a meeting or group discussion that was rambling,
confusing or dominated by a few aggressive individuals. Many meetings can end with a feeling
among the participants that there was a lot of talking but little produced.
The group brainstorm process has been used productively for small group discussions in a variety
of task -oriented situations. It can be used for public meetings and workshops, advisory groups
and task forces, and staff meetings or conferences. This process helps a group focus creatively
on a problem and discourages domination by a few group members.
The goal of a small group discussion using the brainstorm process can be to.
-Identify and clarify problems, issues and needs;
-Suggest solutions to problems and needs;
-Establish group priorities;
-Determine goals and objectives.
-Reviewproposals, group experience, etc.
The process is not used to make final decisions, but rather to offer some intensive and creative
group thinking that may lead to solutions or action steps to a particular problem or need.
The brainstorm process involves the following five steps:
-PRESENT THE BRAINSTORM QUESTION for discussion
-BRAINSTORM a list of ideas, solutions, suggestions in response;
-DISCUSS AND CLARIFY the brainstorm list;
-RANK the brainstorm list to identify the items with the most group support;
-RECORD AND REPORT the top ranked items for further consideration.
The group should have one person act a REQORDER. This person records the ideas generated
from the group in a highly visible manner by using a blackboard, easel or large sheet of paper. In
this way, the group can constantly see the list of ideas they are building and use this list to
stimulate discussion. If the list is recorded on large sheets of paper, the sheets can be taped to a
wall during the discussion whey they can be reviewed by the whole group.
The purpose of brainstorming is to get out everyone's ideas on paper before the group moves to
discussion or debate. In this way, the discussion does not get stuck on one idea before all ideas
have been suggested.
The rules of brainstorming are:
-GET ALL IDEAS OUT AND RECORD IN LARGE LETTERS SO ALL CAN SEE
-DO NOT DISCUSS OR COMMENT UNTIL ALL IDEAS ARE OUT
-WORK VERY QUICKLY
-REPETITION IS OK (IT CAN BE SORTED OUT DURING DISCUSSION)
REVISED FROM THE ORIGINAL BY THE TONER ASSOCIATES, SEATTLE WASHINGTON
1977
.13-
BRAINSTORM: A GROUP CREA'i IVITY METHOD!
STEPS: 1 -BRAINSTORM: RESPOND TO THE QUESTION, LIST IDEAS
2. DISCUSSION:
3. RANK:
4. REPORT:
SO ALL CAN SEE.
SORT THE RESPONSES,
INFORMATION.
SHOW GROUP SUPPORT
RESPONSES.
SHARE GROUP RESULTS
GROUP.
CLARIFY, SHARE
FOR RANKED
WITH TOTAL
NOTE: RULES ARE KEY - DON'T DISCUSS WHILE BRAINSTORMING,
SEPARATE CREATIVITY FROM JUDGEMENT! FORMULATE THE BRAINSTORM
QUESTION WITH CARE. TEST IT AHEAD, IF YOU CAN, TO BE SURE THAT THE
RESPONSES IT PRODUCES ARE THE ONES YOU WANT.
FUNCTIONS: *GET IDEAS (LOTS!) ON ANY SUBJECT!
* SET GOALS, DEFINE PROBLEMS, MAKE PLANS, REVIEW PLANS
* CREATE AGENDAS
* GET PEOPLE INVOLVED AND COMMITTED TO THE RESULTS.
VARIATIONS: *REVIEW BRAINSTORM• AN EVALUATION TOOL THAT USES
THE REGULAR BRAINSTORM FORMAT BUT ASKS EVALUATION
QUESTIONS ON THE POSITIVES -"GOING WELL, OR STRENGTHS,"
AND THE NEGATIVES -"NOT GOING WELL", AND "WEAKNESS
NEEDING CHANGE" OF PLANS, PROJECTS, GROUP EXPERIENCE,
WORKSHOPS OR ANYTHING PRODUCED BY ONE GROUP AND
REVEIEWED BY ANOTHER GROUP.
*NOMINAL TECHNIQUE• CREATIVITY METHOD WHERE IDEA
GENERATION IS DONE IN SILENCE WITH INDIVIDUAL LISTING THEIR
RESPONSES ON A FORM AND GROUP LISTING OF RESPONSES BY
GOING AROUND THE GROUP. GOOD WHERE BALANCED -
PARTICIPATION IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE. `
LOGISTICS:
* PARTICIPANTS IDEAL GROUP SIZE IS 5-7 MEMBERS FOR BEST
PARTICIPATION AND CREATIVITY. BEST FOR BRAINSTORMING AND
OTHER PARTICIPATORY METHODS. SUBDIVIDE LARGE GROUPS.
* SUPPORT MATERIALS• EASELS, LARGE PAPER SO RESPONSES
CAN BE MADE VISIBLE, DISCUSSION GUIDES TO EXPLAIN THE
PROCESS IN A STEP BY STEP FASHION. TABLES FOR PEOPLE TO
SIT AT, MARKERS, TAPE ETC.
*MEETING AND WALL SPACE• SMALL GROUPS REQUIRE ROOMS
WITH ADEQUATE TABLES AND WALL SPACE TO PUT THE
BRAINSTORM SHEETS UPON. EACH MEETING NEEDS CAREFUL
CONSIDERATION OF SPACING OF GROUPS AND ACCESS TO WALL
SPACE IN THE ROOM.
-14- APPLEBY INC., NOVEMBER 1991
C
C
ED
:EN
WORKSHOP
WALL GRAPHICS
SLIDE / OVERHEAD
PROJECTOR
x X X
SPEAKER
WALL
GRAPHICS
CITIZEN DISCUSSION GROUPS
.fi
J.
P
MEETING HALL / SCHOOL CAFETERIA
COFFEE
f
- f
_ f
t f
f
GREETERS
00
U Agency Stal
I Participants
PRO$ LENTS OPPORTUNITIES
Gaining participation of representative people. Provides a forum to resolve conflict.
Time consuming for public. Requires staft time. Gives special attention to specific issues. Makes it diffi-
cult for a few vocal participants to dominate.
Must be carefully designed to assure that the process is Improvesthe knowledge of participants_
not co-opted by the agency in charge.
Can be used easily and effectively in combination with
other techniques.
.' •
j
15