scenario planning

To develop a plan for the future, we first need to know what we want that future to be. We know the population of the Treasure Valley will grow, but questions center around where and how the growth will occur and what its ramifications will be.

COMPASS is undertaking a year-long process between September 2011 and September 2012 to help answer those types of questions. The end result will be a "preferred growth scenario" a realistic vision of what Treasure Valley residents want the valley to look like in the year 2040, taking into account practical trade-offs and priorities.

The vision will be developed by you, Treasure Valley residents, through a three-step process, as described below. The three steps will each entail different levels and types of public involvement and will be used to create the preferred growth scenario that will be presented to the COMPASS Board for approval in the final step. The approved scenario will be the basis for the Communities in Motion 2040 (CIM 2040) plan. Click here for the public involvement plan specific to the scenario planning process.

Step 1. Facilitated workshops (February 29, March 1, and March 2, 2012). These three identical workshops engaged community leaders, elected officials, and stakeholders in a day-long process where they examined regional issues and developed potential visions for growth in the Treasure Valley between now and 2040. Participants were divided into groups; each group developed its own potential “future growth scenario.” Click here to learn more about the workshops and view workshops summaries.

Step 2. Public participation and comment (May 7 through June 17, 2012). The many different potential visions (growth scenarios) developed in Step 1 have been synthesized into four scenarios that reflect the common themes that emerged from the workshops.

These potential growth scenarios are being presented for broad review and comment by the public. Everyone will be invited to weigh in on which scenario best represents their vision for the future of the valley and why. Your participation in this process will help COMPASS select a vision for the future that will be the basis for Communities in Motion 2040.

There are many ways you can participate; join the conversation to help shape the future! Public comment opportunities are listed below.

Comment Opportunities

• Click here to comment online through Sunday, June 17
• Print a hard copy comment form
• Attend an open house:
  • Wednesday, May 16, Library! at Hillcrest, 5246 W. Overland, Boise, 3:30 – 8 pm
  • Thursday, May 17, COMPASS, 700 NE 2nd Street, Meridian, 3:30 – 8 pm
  • Thursday, May 24, Hispanic Cultural Center, 315 Stampede Dr, Nampa, 3:30 – 8 pm
• Host a speaker for your club or group. Contact aluft@compassidaho.org to schedule.
• Host a gathering with friends or colleagues to provide input (called a “meeting in a bag"). Bags of meeting materials will be available beginning May 9; meetings need to take place between May 10 and June 12. Click here for additional details; contact Amy Luft (aluft@compassidaho.org or 475-2229) with questions or to sign up to host.
• Visit COMPASS booths at community events.
• Find information at public libraries and civic offices during the comment period. Comment materials are available at the following libraries:
  • Ada Community Library (Victory Branch)
  • Eagle Public Library
  • Garden City Public Library
  • Hidden Springs Library
  • Library! at Cole and Ustick (Boise)
  • Meridian Public Library
  • Star Public Library
  • Middleton Public Library

Comment Materials

• Scenario and indicator descriptions and maps (PDF; formatted to print)
• Scenario and indicator descriptions and maps (link to web page)
• See how the four draft scenarios compare on 23 indicators (PDF; formatted to print)
• Frequently asked questions (and answers!)
• 2040 Population Comparison

Step 3. COMPASS Board adoption of preferred scenario (August/September 2012). The four draft scenarios will be considered in light of public comment and a recommendation will be made to the COMPASS Board. The Board will then be asked to approve a preferred growth scenario upon which to base the CIM 2040 plan.