On February 9, Hickory residents took part in a workshop considering residential development patterns over the next 20 years - making recommendations on the location, type and character of housing in Hickory. Exercises explored where new housing units should be located, identifying conditions for best success in meeting Hickory by Choice planning goals. Participants seemed to share concerns about preservation of historic neighborhoods, blending a variety of housing types near future neighborhood commercial centers and along key transportation corridors, and providing for housing matching future population needs. Attendees also expressed concerns about Hickory’s forecast rate of growth, believing that growth will slow in coming years, creating less demand for residential development during the planning period.

Couldn’t make the meeting? Check back for meeting minutes, copies of the exercises shared with participants, and other results. Feel free to provide comments to City Planning Director , and to get a sense of the event, check out the short movie produced that evening. The Hickory by Choice update process is nearing the draft stage - keep in touch, and continue to take part!

Workshop movie (QuickTime movie)

On Tuesday, February 9, the fifth public workshop updating Hickory by Choice City will take place, covering potential land-use designations, reflecting the existing plan and public and Advisory Committee input. City staff and consultants Studio Cascade will present a review of proposed land use categories and placement, engaging residents in exercises to refine draft land use policy.

The workshop will take place at the Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th Street Drive NE, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. A meeting agenda for the workshop will be posted here prior to the event.

All City residents and those living within the City’s ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction) are invited to attend.

For more information, check out the lead article in the City’s newsletter City Snippets,linked below. City Snippets is distributed as a monthly insert in all City utility billing statements.

City Snippets (308 Kb, Acrobat® file)

The link below offers a downloadable copy of the most recent Hickory by Choice 2030 flyer - a two-page, fold-over item that provides an introduction to, and update on, the HBC process.

Printed copies are available at City Hall, through plan Advisory Committee members, or at any of the HBC public workshops or City-led process events.

HBC Flyer (264 Kb, Acrobat® file)

On Monday, October 26, the City will host a public workshop covering potential means of developing successful mixed-use centers and corridor areas, as called for in Hickory by Choice. Consultants will present a review of current zoning strategies, offer schematic site plans for select centers, and engage residents in exercises to refine potential solutions.

The workshop will take place at the Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th Street Drive NE, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Look for an advance meeting agenda to be posted here prior to the event, and lot of follow-up materials after the meeting.

The City’s approach to updating Hickory by Choice is moving forward, and there’ll be lots to see and react to at this important workshop. All City residents and those living within the City’s ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction) are urged to attend.

Press release (64 Kb, Acrobat® file)