Public Participation

As a planning and development consulting services firm, HMA is constantly engaged in interaction with the general public, who in most cases will be those whose lives are impacted in some way by a particular project.  In the Plan of Conservation and Development process, HMA integrates public participation throughout the planning process.  Typically, public participation is solicited at the early planning stages, throughout the plan review process, and finally before adoption of the final plan.  Neighborhood and business area revitalization plans require extensive participation.  HMA staff prides themselves as having spent more time in church basements than corporate boardrooms.  HMA believes it is critical to have public buy-in to a community’s plans and vision in order for that plan to be achieved.  In addition to traditional methods of holding public workshops and community meetings, HMA is involved in employing new technology to document public comments at meetings using SmartBoard interactive digital media,public access TV to broadcast committee meetings, posting information and soliciting reader feedback via municipal websites.