KICK-OFF MEETING

Merriam Comprehensive Plan Update

July 31, 2019
AGENDA

› Introductions + Steering Committee Roles

› Project Scope + Schedule Overview
› Project Name
› Project Survey
› Key Stakeholder Interviews
› Demographics + Populations Overview
› Goals + Visioning Exercises
› Next Steps
PROJECT TEAM
ICE BREAKER

Tell us:
Who you are?
Where you are from?
What is your favorite dessert?
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

› Evaluate public input

› Review and provide direction
› 8 meetings planned
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING 101

“ The comprehensive plan, also known as a general plan, master plan or land
use plan; is a document designed to guide the future actions of a community.
It presents a vision for the future; with long-range goals and objectives for all
activities that affects the local government.
”
-Gary D. Taylor, Iowa State University
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - PURPOSE

Focus Future Development & Public Investment

Encourage Strong Economic Base

Serve as Information Management Tool

Analyze Existing Conditions

Evolve as Community Changes

Establish Goals

Guide and Recommend

Encourage Community Engagement
Identify and Build upon Community Character
RELATIONSHIP TO ZONING

Secure safety
from fire, plan,
other dangers

Avoid Lessen
concentration of Congestion
population

Adequate
provision of
Zoning Preserve
features of
public services Intent historical
significance
Prevent Promote health
overcrowding and general
of land welfare

Provide for Lessen

adequate light Congestion
and air
PLAN CHAPTERS / ELEMENTS

› Vision and Goals

› Community Assessment (Existing Conditions + Demographics/Economic Overview)
› Employment / Economy and Other Trends
› Land Use
› Subarea Plans (Downtown, Town Center, Others)
› Housing Recommendations
› Transportation Recommendations
› Parks and Recreation, Greenspace & Environmental Recommendations
› Implementation Plan, Goals + Objectives and Policies
› Appendix
PROJECT SCOPE
Project Kick-Off,
Phase 1 : Project Kick-Off, Research & Analysis Research + Analysis
› Establish roles/responsibilities, data collection and analysis, transportation and utilities
analysis

Phase 2 : Vision, Input & Direction Vision, Input,

› Public engagement via survey, open house, interviews, box city youth workshop, + Direction
input and goals review

Phase 3 : Draft Plan & Evaluation

Draft Plan
› Draft full comprehensive plan, chapter reviews + Evaluation

Phase 3 : Final Draft Plan & Adoption

› Final draft, public hearing with plan & zoning and City Council Final Draft
Plan + Adoption
PROJECT SCOPE APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS

Phase 1 l Project Kick-Off, Research & Analysis

› Kick-Off Meeting with Advisory Committee
› Data Collection and Analysis
› Analysis Review CPAC Meeting
› Analysis Review Joint Workshop

Project Kick-Off,
Research + Analysis

Project Kick-Off, Research + Vision, Input, + Draft Plan + Evaluation Final Draft Plan + Adoption
Analysis Direction
PROJECT SCOPE APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS

Phase 2 l Vision, Input + Direction

› Project Survey
› Public Workshop
› Key Stakeholder Interviews
› Youth Workshop
› Box City Kids Event
› Special Event Booth
› Input & Goals Review Joint Workshop
› Input and Goals Review Meeting CPAC Vision, Input, + Direction

Project Kick-Off, Research + Vision, Input, + Draft Plan + Evaluation Final Draft Plan + Adoption
Analysis Direction
PROJECT SCOPE APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS

Phase 3 l Draft Plan + Evaluation

› Draft Plan
› Draft Plan Presentation Review Session with Advisory Committee (4 meetings)
› Draft Plan Public Open House
› Draft Plan Review Joint Workshop

Draft Plan + Evaluation

Project Kick-Off, Research + Vision, Input, + Draft Plan + Evaluation Final Draft Plan + Adoption
Analysis Direction
PROJECT SCOPE APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS

Phase 4 l Final Draft Plan + Adoption

› Final Draft Plan
› Final Draft Plan Review with Advisory Committee
› Plan & Zoning Commission Public Hearing
› City Council Public Hearing

Final Draft Plan + Adoption

Project Kick-Off, Research + Vision, Input, + Draft Plan + Evaluation Final Draft Plan + Adoption
Analysis Direction
PROJECT SCHEDULE
PROJECT SCHEDULE
ICE BREAKER
ICE BREAKER
ICE BREAKER
ICE BREAKER
ICE BREAKER
PROJECT SURVEY

What are some project name / branding ideas?

PROJECT NAME / BRANDING IDEAS
› Merriam for 40 and more
› Merriam on the Move
› Our Path to 2040
› Making Merriam Even Better
› Improving Just Right
› Making Merri-Am
› Moving Merriam Forward
› Merriam Moving Forward
› Taking Merriam to 2040
› The Merriam Plan 2040: Making Merriam More
› Merriam Next
› Merriam More
› The More the Merriam
PROJECT SURVEY

What are special issues to cover in the survey?

PROJECT SURVEY
› Why do you live in Merriam?
› How long have you lived in Merriam?
› What’s missing in Merriam?
› What’s your commute to work?
› What do you shop / eat?
› Spanish language
› What is there too much of?
› What is frustrating?
› Where do you go for cultural events/ entertainment?
› What would you like to have closer to home?
› Places of worship in Merriam?
› Do you walk to places you need / want to go?
› What community events do you go to in Merriam?
PROJECT SURVEY
› What kind of transportation do you use?
› Where do you catch the bus?
› Is your Merriam home your primary home?
› Do you live in Merriam year-round
› Do you rent / own your home?
› If you rent, what would it take for you to buy?
› What is the City missing that other cities have?
› How has what you do in Merriam changed over the years?
› What kind of housing are we missing?
› What is Merriam known for?
› What would you like it to be known for?
STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS

Who are those community stakeholders that we should interview?

STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
› Librarians / library patrons
› KDOT
› Public works
› Marc / Operation Green Light
› Faith communities
› Educators
› Troy – Police Department
› Geographic representation
› Folks who work here / don’t live here
› Seaboard
› Syncrony
› Home-based businesses
› JCCC
STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
› Principals / Elementary School
› Business owners outside Merriam
› Apartment boards / HOAs
› NE Johnson County Chamber
› Home daycare
› Georgetown Pharmacy
› Latino coalition
› Neighborhood leaders
› Branch Manager-Antioch Library (Spanish
language specialty)
› Spanish language specialties
› Downtown business owners / users
› Diversity
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Household Size (2017 est.) : Merriam, KS
Over 85 Over 85
Over 85
80 to 84 80 to 84
80 to 84
75 to 79 75 to 79
75 to 79
70 to 74 70 to 74
70 to 74
65 to 69 65 to 69
65 to 69
60 to 64 60 to 64
60 to 64
55 to 59 55 to 59
55 to 59
50 to 54
50 to 54
50 to 54
Female 45 to 49
45 to 49
45 to 49
40 to 44
Male
40 to 44 40 to 44
35 to 39
35 to 39 35 to 39
30 to 34
30 to 34 30 to 34
25 to 29
25 to 29 25 to 29
20 to 24
20 to 24 20 to 24
15 to 19
15 to 19 15 to 19
10 to 14
10 to 14
10 to 14
5 to 9
5 to 9
5 to 9 Under 5
Under 5
Under 5

10% 5% 0% 5% 10% 10% 5% 0% 5% 10% 10% 5% 0% 5% 10%

Merriam (2017) Johnson County (2017) State of Kansas (2017)

Median Age: 39.1 Median Age: 37.3 Median Age: 36.3
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Racial Composition (2017): Merriam, KS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Household Size (2017 est.) : Merriam, KS Average Household Size (2017 est.): Merriam, KS

38% 35% 15% 12%

2.16
1-Person Household 3-Person Household

2-Person Household 4-Person Household

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Average Household Size (2017 est.):
Owner-Occupied
Housing Tenure (2017): Merriam, KS

2.43
55%

Average Household Size (2017 est.):

Renter-Occupied

45%

Owner-Occupied
1.83
Renter-Occupied

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Home Values (2017): Merriam, KS

Median = $154,700 Median Home Value (2017): Merriam & Comparisons
$1,000,000 or more

$500,000 to $999,999 Merriam $154,700

$300,000 to $499,999

$200,000 to $299,999 13% Johnson County $232,500

$150,000 to $199,999 41%
State of Kansas $139,200
$100,000 to $149,999 36%
$50,000 to $99,999 0 $50k $100k $150k $200k $250k

Less than $50,000

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 45%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Monthly Housing Costs* (2017): Merriam, KS Gross Rent (2017): Merriam, KS

Median = $1,277 Median = $859

$3,000 or more
$3,000 or more

$2,500 to $2,999 $2,500 to $2,999

$2,000 to $2,499 $2,000 to $2,499

$1,500 to $1,999 20% $1,500 to $1,999

$1,000 to $1,499 60% $1,000 to $1,499 19%

$500 to $999 14% $500 to $999 68%

Less than $500
Less than $500
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

* Owner-occupied costs

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Household Incomes (2017): Merriam, KS Household Incomes (2017): Nearby Communities

Median = $57,109 Median = $57,109

$200,000 or more 1% Merriam, KS $57,109

$150,000 to $199,999
6%
12%
$100,000 to $149,999
Johnson County, KS $81,121
12%
$75,000 to $99,999 17% State of Kansas $55,477
$50,000 to $74,999 23%
$35,000 to $49,999
United States $57,652
15%
$0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k
$25,000 to $34,999 12%
$15,000 to $24,999 6%
$10,000 to $14,999 4%
Less than $10,000 5%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Vehicles Available (2017): Merriam, KS Mean Travel Time to Work (2017): Merriam, KS

44%
1 VEHICLE
37%
2 VEHICLES
14%
3+ VEHICLES
18 MINUTES

Means of Transport to Work (2017): Merriam, KS

38% 5%
NO VEHICLES 96 PERCENT

CAR, TRUCK OR VAN

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Educational Attainment Age 25+ (2017): Merriam, KS Median Earnings by Education (2017): Merriam, KS

Graduate or Professional degree 12%

Graduate or Professional degree $51,114
Bachelor’s degree 22%
Bachelor’s degree $49,157
Associate’s degree 10%

Some college, no degree 27% Some college or Associate’s degree $36,635

High School Graduate or GED 22% High School Graduate or GED $31,750

9th Grade to 12th Grade, no diploma 5% Less than 9th Grade $36,433

Less than 9th Grade 2% $0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Employment by Industry (2015): Merriam, KS

Major Industries in Merriam (2015):

› Health Care & Social Assistance (33.4%) Merriam Residents

› Retail Trade (17.7%) Merriam Jobs

› Administration & Support (11.8%)

› Wholesale Trade (6.7%)

Major Industries of Merriam Residents (2015):

› Health Care & Social Assistance (14.4%)
› Retail Trade (10.8%)
› Educational Services (8.6%)
› Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (8.4%)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies

 INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Inflow / Outflow Workers (2015 / 2010): Merriam, KS

2015 2010

12,915 411 5,986 10,952 319 5,721

Work in Merriam Live + Work Live in Merriam Work in Merriam Live + Work Live in Merriam
Live Outside in Merriam Work Outside Live Outside in Merriam Work Outside

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies

INITIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Esri Tapestry Segment Profiles

› Classifies U.S. neighborhoods based on their socioeconomic +
demographic composition into 68 neighborhoods

Merriam’s Top Tapestry Segments:

› Old and Newcomers (33.5%) – 8F
› Emerald City (25.1%) – 8B
› Bright Young Professionals (13.4%) – 8C
› In Style (12.1%) – 5B
Old & Newcomers (33.5%)

Average Household Size: 2.12 Median Age: 39.4 Median Household Income: $44,900
Old & Newcomers (33.5%)
Emerald City (25.1%)

Average Household Size: 2.06 Median Age: 37.4 Median Household Income: $59,200
Emerald City (25.1%)
Bright Young Professionals (13.4%)

Average Household Size: 2.41 Median Age: 33.0 Median Household Income: $54,000
Bright Young Professionals (13.4%)
In Style (12.1%)

Average Household Size: 2.35 Median Age: 42.0 Median Household Income: $73,000
In Style (12.1%)
POPULATION + GROWTH

› High growth in 1960s and 1970s

› Peak population in 1990s
› Moderate increases since 2010
POPULATION + GROWTH
Initial Population Projections 2020-2040: Merriam, KS

13,475

11,757 12,532
11,306
11,616

Average

Projections
VISIONING EXERCISE
What are the biggest opportunities for Merriam?
VISIONING EXERCISE
Visioning Exercise
What are the biggest challenges for Merriam?
VISIONING EXERCISE
What is your one big dream for Merriam?
VISIONING EXERCISE
What is your one big fear for Merriam?
NEXT STEPS…

› Analysis Review (CPAC#2)

› Analysis Review Joint Workshop (JW#1)