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Public InvolvementPublic participation is a fundamental component of this DEIS and Alternatives Analysis phase of the KRM project. The activities planned throughout this project phase are designed to facilitate open, ongoing, two-way communication and allow the study team to gather suggestions, opinions, perspectives, and values from the community. This public participation will provide valuable information and feedback in order to make the best possible decisions. Latest Public Informational MeetingsThree public information meeting open houses were recently held throughout the KRM corridor to present information, answer questions, and get feedback concerning the planning for this project. The meetings were conducted in an “open house” format to provide visitors an opportunity to look at display materials, to meet one-on-one or in small groups with project staff to ask questions, and provide input and feedback. A short presentation was given at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Information was provided on the proposed locally preferred alternative, the DEIS, potential impacts, and opportunities for continued community involvement. In particular, information at the public meetings highlighted the differences between commuter rail and bus transit alternatives and outlined the reasons for recommending commuter rail. The dates, times, and locations of these meetings were: Monday, February 5, 2007 Wednesday, February 7, 2007 Thursday, February 8, 2007 We want to know what you think of these alternatives and the preliminary recommendation to proceed toward implementation of commuter rail in the KRM corridor. Give us your feedback or send us your written comments by mail, fax, or electronically on the KRM website. You can give us feedback at any time during the project and we are especially interested in your comments concerning the alternatives, their potential benefits, costs, and impacts, and the preliminary recommendation for a locally preferred alternative. Comments may be submitted by: You can submit comments on this website by clicking here. Public Informational Meeting Display BoardsTo view the display boards used at the February 2007 public informational meetings, click on this link: Public Informational Meeting PresentationsTo view the presentations given at the February 2007 public informational meetings, click on one of these links:
Record of Public Comments for February 2007 Public Information MeetingsThe public reaction to the study findings and preliminary recommendations presented at the February 2007 public informational meetings has been published and documents the record of public comments submitted as a result of the public informational meetings as well as related materials. Because of the large size of some of these report sections, they may be accessed separately by clicking on the following links:
Previous ActivitiesStation Area Design WorkshopsTwo sets of KRM station area design workshops were conducted to identify the potential opportunities for land use development and redevelopment around each proposed transit station. Determining the potential for such “transit-oriented development” is a key component of the KRM Commuter Link project and will be important to deciding whether or not to proceed with the project. The first set of station area workshops was held in March and April of 2006. After the first set of workshops, the project team had begun to develop station area land use plans and the next step was to bring these preliminary plans back to the public for input and comments at a second set of workshops. These were held in June, July, and August 2006. Public and community participation is vital to the creation of station area plans that stimulate and accommodate desired development and redevelopment. Eventually, each community will be asked to endorse their station area development plan and to adopt policies, plans, and regulations to support them if commuter rail is implemented. Station area design workshops were held for the Kenosha, Somers, Racine, Caledonia, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy-St. Francis, South Side Milwaukee, and Downtown Milwaukee station areas. Public Scoping Meetings HeldThis KRM planning phase kicked off with several public information meetings held during February, 2006 in Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee. This first round of public information meetings was part of the project scoping process, used to identify issues and concerns early in the study. All interested or affected residents, property owners, civic and community leaders, business owners, and other community members throughout the corridor were encouraged to attend, learn more about the project, and most importantly, provide feedback and comments. The public information meetings were conducted in “open house” format with staffed information displays. A twenty minute presentation was made by Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission staff with members of the study team available throughout the evening to provide information and hear community input. Information was provided on:
Scoping Meeting Display BoardsTo view the display boards used at the February 2006 public information scoping meetings, click the link below: Future PlansPublic participation is important to developing sound recommendations and selecting a transit alternative that can be supported by the community. One of the project team’s goals is to keep the public informed and to incorporate their feedback into the decision making process. In the future, newsletters and other materials will continue to be produced to provide information as the KRM project moves forward into later phases. Sign up on the comment form page of this website to be added to the mailing list. The current newsletter may be viewed and downloaded here: Additional public involvement meetings will be held in later phases of the project. Public involvement meetings will be advertised in local newspapers, in newsletters, and on the project website. Attend one or all of the public involvement meetings and encourage your neighbors, colleagues, and friends to participate as well. If you prefer to get your information electronically, continue to use the KRM website. The website will be updated as new project information becomes available. And the site is interactive so you can provide your comments online. Other opportunities for public involvement will occur as the project proceeds and we will do our best to make sure you are made aware of them. Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact StatementA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this project is being prepared. When the DEIS document is completed, it will be published and made available for public comment including on this website. There will be a public comment period as specified by Federal regulations, and pubic hearings will be held. When the schedule for the public hearings had been determined, it will be advertised and posted on this website. |
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