Rethinking Together

On May 21, 2020

How is the current COVID experience changing the future of architecture, planning and the environment? If you’ve got opinions on this, please share them at a webiner next week. It’s sponsored by the Citylab High School Foundation. Karen Walz is a featured speaker, along with Kourtny Garrett of Downtown Dallas, Inc. and Ross Conway of […]

Karen Walz joins the CityLab High School Foundation Advisory Council

On May 19, 2020

Karen is pleased to be joining the Advisory Council for the CityLab High School Foundation. As they explain, “This Council consists of thoughtful community leaders who advise and support CityLab High School Foundation. The Foundation supports CityLab, a DISD Choice high school introducing students to architecture, urban planning and environmental science through rigorous project-based curriculum. Using downtown Dallas […]

A New Plan for Anna

On April 15, 2020

Last night the City Council of Anna, Texas approved a contract for a consultant team to work with them on three important plans — an update to the Comprehensive Plan, a Downtown Master Plan, and a Park, Trails and Open Space Master Plan. The lead consulting firm on the team is Kimley-Horn, Inc. Strategic Community […]

Lewisville City Council Retreat

On February 24, 2020

This year’s City Council retreat included intense discussions on a large number of current issues and projects. The Lewisville 2025 Update was one of those. Karen presented the results of the outreach efforts and Touchpoint events. City Manager Donna Barron and other staff members added their perspectives. City Council provided direction on the updated plan’s […]

Lewisville 2025 Update Touchpoint

On January 31, 2020

The next stage of community involvement builds on the input received from the community. A major outreach effort, Touchpoint included a range of activities and options for stakeholder involvement on January 29 and 30, 2020. SCS designed the process and overall structure; the details were established in collaboration with key City staff members and staff […]

Collins-Arapaho TOD/Innovation District rezoning approved

On December 10, 2019

On December 9, 2019, the City of Richardson adopted its Collins-Arapaho TOD/Innovation District rezoning! Few cities would initiate a rezoning of about 1,200 acres of developed private property. But for Richardson, rezoning is a critical step in the transformation of this employment center, which is an aging light industrial area adjacent to a DART light […]

Flooding Beyond FEMA

On November 9, 2019

This was the topic of the second session SCS led at the APA Texas 2019 annual conference. Karen Walz organized and moderated the session. It featured Jennifer Dyke P.E., Senior Planner in the City of Fort Worth’s Transportation and Public Works Department and Ben Pylant P.E., Senior Project Manager with Halff Associates, Inc. We shared […]

Engaging the Extremes

On November 8, 2019

The first session SCS led at the APA Texas 2019 annual conference in Waco was an interactive workshop giving participants skills and experience in managing public engagement when people with extreme and opposing views are involved. Karen Walz presented a structure for designing public input initiatives so that people with diverse views can be heard, […]

APA Texas adopts its 2019-2021 Action Plan

On November 7, 2019

On November 6, 2019, the Board of Directors of the American Planning Association, Texas Chapter adopted its new two-year Action Plan. This plan sets the priorities the Chapter will follow during 2020 and 2021 as it continues to achieve the goals set in the Chapter’s 5-Year Development Plan. Strategic Community Solutions LLC provided strategic planning […]

Lewisville 2025 Update Community Outreach

On October 1, 2019

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been five years since the Lewisville 2025 Vision Plan was adopted! The City has made tremendous strides in achieving that vision and many accomplishments are making the plan a reality. At the five-year mark, the City has chosen to review these results, consider the current conditions and opportunities, […]

City of Lewisville Development Code Overhaul — Community Open House

On October 10, 2019

October 10, 2019. Lewisville residents and property owners came to a Community Open House this evening to find out about the major changes in the zoning component of the City’s development code overhaul. The session at the MCL Grand included a presentation highlighting key changes, but most of the time was spent in discussions at […]

APA Texas 2019 Award Winners

On October 1, 2019

October 1, 2019. The American Planning Association Texas Chapter will recognize plans and projects at its annual conference in November. Strategic Community Solutions LLC is very pleased to have been a part of several award-winning projects! The City of McKinney’s ONE McKinney 2040 plan is one of two award-winners in the Comprehensive Plan […]

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