►
Description
City of Aiken Planning Director Ryan Bland shares his background in city planning, what let him and his family to Aiken, and the departmental approach to Aiken's Comprehensive Plan, which has been under review in 2016.
A
B
A
A
B
B
And
so,
while
there
got
my
my
comedian
regional
planning
degree,
my
bachelor's
I
worked
for
the
city
of
Branson
Missouri
for
a
little
while
as
an
intern,
which
is
a
really
interesting
experience,
got
to
be
involved
in
some
really
interesting
redevelopment
stuff.
In
a
brief
time
there
I
went
on
to
iowa
state
to
get
dual
masters
in,
and
planning
and
public
administration
worked
for
a
suburb,
Des
Moines
called
Johnston,
while
I
was
there,
which
is
a
really
really
lovely
town
enjoyed
it.
B
My
first
job
back
in
the
real
world
of
planning
was
in
mission
Kansas
mission.
Kansas
is
a
suburb
of
Kansas
City,
that's
small
about
twelve
thousand
people.
Roughly
it
just
never
grew
out,
is
almost
on
the
state
line
and
it
was
fully
developed
and
the
people
there
loved
the
way
the
community
was,
but
it
had
to
go
through
quite
a
bit
of
change
due
to
some
factors
beyond
their
control,
so
it
was.
B
In
that
case
you
were
managing
change
in
a
town
that
was
fully
built
out
and
had
a
lovely
identity,
and
so
it
was
making
sure
that
what
went
back
in
the
place
of
the
things
that
had
to
be
redeveloped
was
acceptable
to
the
community
and
and
the
way
community
wanted
to
grow
and
then,
as
a
young,
single
planner
I
thought
it
was.
It
might
be
an
interesting
opportunity.
B
I
had
some
family
that
moved
out
to
the
bakersfield.
California
area
was
familiar
with
the
area
and
they
had
a
job
that
came
up
in
long-range
planning,
which
is
managing
the
comprehensive
plan
there
and
they
are
makers.
Field
was
a
city
that
grew
something
like
forty
percent
between
the
two
thousand
and
2010
census.
So
it
was.
B
It
was
an
area
that
was
exploding
with
growth
in
a
lot
of
time
in
a
time
in
a
lot
of
places
were
growing,
but
they're
particularly,
is
the
top
one
of
the
top
ten
cities
in
growth
over
100,000
people,
so
that
shifted
from
a
completely
developed
devour
environment.
To
one
that
you
had
to
make
sure
that
what
was
going
in
met,
what
the
people
wanted
to
see,
as
their
community
grew
sure.
A
A
B
Had
a
family
and
as
my
career
advanced
in
planning,
I
moved
into
kind
of
more
special
projects
and
more
targeted
planning
efforts
to
the
city
core.
We
thought
we
would
look
for
a
place,
particularly
in
the
south.
That
was
something
we
talked
about
for
a
long
time,
a
place
where,
when
we
had
a
family,
we
wanted
to
raise
a
family.
So
now
we
have
three
little
girls,
all
under
the
age
of
five,
so
nobody's
in
kindergarten.
B
Yet,
and
we
had
some
family
that
moved
back
and
sat
down
roots
in
the
Augusta
area,
and
so
we
were
familiar
with
the
area
and
thought
that
you
know
they
loved
it
loved
the
whole
area.
So
much
love
the
people
of
the
area
in
particular,
and
any
time
we
visited,
we
did
too
so
we
targeted
this
area
for
a
place
where
we
might
want
to
raise
a
family,
and
akin
is
just
that
kind
of
place
that
you
would.
B
A
Very
good,
when
we're
so
glad
that,
of
course,
you
being
an
ache
and
I'd
I'm,
very
partial
to
our
town,
but
so
glad
that
you
had
the
opportunity
to
see
it
and
fall
in
love
with
it
and
become
a
part
of
our
community.
But
well
what
an
extensive
background
you
have
education
and
work
experience
and
very
diverse.
So
you've
worked
in
some
very
small
communities,
some
very
large
communities,
medium
communities,
really
you
have
run
the
gamut.
A
So
we're
really
looking
forward
to
your
expertise
coming
in
in
the
background
that
you
have
and
what
you
have
to
offer,
because
lots
of
exciting
things
going
on
for
the
city
right
now,
so
you
made
the
transition
from
California
to
South
Carolina
few
cultural
differences.
I
can
imagine
but
talk
about
what
what
the
transition
has
been
like
for
you.
You
know
from
the
planning
standpoint
it
with
the
diverse
background
that
you
do
have
so
what?
What
does
that
then
like
to
come
from
somewhat
of
a
different
area?
Yeah.
B
You
know,
as
people
would
see
natural
environment
and
you
have
to
evaluate
and
mitigate
all
those
things
for
every
development
that
comes
through,
but
it's
a
very
intensive
and
legal
process
that
I
think
at
this
point
may
may
not
be
serving
the
purpose
it
originally
intended,
but
what
it
did
was
as
a
planner.
You
appreciate
all
of
those
factors
when
you
look
at
growth
in
your
community.
A
B
B
We
maybe
get
to
that
later
kind
of
tailored
down
into
like
a
little
bit
of
a
vision
statement
with
the
Comprehensive
Plan
process,
but
that
it
can
have
since
community
where
people
know
they
can
describe
to
you
what
the
character
of
Aiken
is
and
I
really
appreciate
that,
and
so,
as
you
know,
you
go
through
and
evaluate
development
and
plan
for
future
development
that
it's
kind
of
the
same
thing.
You
compare
those
core
principles
with
everything
that
comes
through
to
make
sure
that
you're
moving
toward
that
target
that
the
community
wants
to
be
yeah.
A
Absolutely
I
can
imagine
that
you
know
from
just
a
lay
person
or
somebody
who
doesn't
have
that
planning
background.
Just
our
citizen
right.
You
know
all
the
exciting
things
that
are
coming
online
and
you
know
you
do
have
to
really
look
at
the
long-term
process
to
make
sure
that
we
are
planning
the
correct
way
in
the
right
way.
That's
going
to
ensure
a
solid
future
for
us,
so
it
was
wonderful
that
you
have
that
kind
of
background
you're
bringing
it
bringing
it
to
our
area.
So,
let's
talk
about
your
long-term
and
short-term
goals.
A
The
city
of
vacant
has
was
without
a
planner
for
quite
a
bit
of
time,
so
wonderful
staff
that
I
know
that
you
have
come
into.
But
when
you
look
at
you
know
what
what
you
know
we're
dealing
with
right
now
and
then
looking
long
term.
Let's
talk
for
a
minute
about
your
long
and
short
term
goals.
Okay,.
B
I
would
say
that
right
now,
pretty
short
on
long-term
goals
for
the
community
I've
come
in
in
an
excellent
time,
going
back
kind
of
to
the
previous
statement
that
I
might
have
I
think
a
wide
range
of
technical
tools
that
I
have
been
accustomed
to
and
that
I
have
knowledge
about,
and
but
the
good
thing
about
planning
is
it
is
all
context-specific
planning
is
a
personal
thing
for
your
community
and
so
I.
Don't
have
any
preconceived
notion
about
the
way
he
can
should
be
could
be
I
love.
B
B
So
in
the
short
term,
I'm
hoping
the
Comprehensive
Plan
process
will
tell
me
more
about
what
Aiken
wants
to
be,
and
then
we
can
maybe
start
trying
to
figure
out
which
tools
work
toward
implementing
that,
whether
they
currently
exist
or
whether
they
need
to
exist
in
the
future
and
having
those
conversations
with
the
people
and
the
elected
appointed
officials.
Yeah.
A
B
Of
medium
need
right
now,
again,
I
think
is
too
it's
been
ten
years
that
are
roughly
ten
years
since
we've
really
opened
up
and
re-evaluated
a
plan,
and-
and
so
that
is
number
one
is
to
figure
out.
You
know
where,
where
our
arrow
is
heading,
so
to
speak
as
a
community
where
we
want
to
be
so
getting
a
solid,
comprehensive
plan
in
place.
B
A
I
think
it
in
for
our
viewers
who,
who
may
not
know
we
are
going
through
the
comprehensive
plan,
and
you
know
at
first
at
first
look.
It
may
be
like
wow
what
a
time
to
come
in.
You
know
a
very
a
very
big
process,
somewhat
overwhelming,
but
at
the
same
time
wow
what
a
great
time
to
come
in
to
give
you
to
give
you
kind
of
these
clues
as
to
the
nuances
and
what
our
ecosystem
is
and
to
have
that
update.
A
In
a
few
months
ago,
we
had
mislis
Stewart
come
on
and
talk
about
the
beginning
parts
of
this
comprehensive
plan,
the
Planning
Commission
and
the
planning
department
are
taking
on.
They
took
it
on
without
a
you
know,
going
for
without
the
planning
director
in
place,
and
now
you
have
come
in
and
are
able
to
be
at
a
really
great
point
to
see
how
all
of
this
is
sliding
into
place
and
when
mr.
it
was
here,
she
was
telling
us.
You
know
it's
a
very
aggressive
time
frame.
A
It's
a
very
copper
is
very
large,
but
it
in
in
the
sense.
I
say
that
that
they
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
gathering
all
the
information
that's
correct
and
necessary
and
going
forward.
So
let's,
let's
recap
that
a
little
bit
for
for
us
right
now
where,
where
what
is
this
comprehensive
planet?
Okay,
well,
look
at.
B
Basically,
your
comprehensive
plan
is
just
that.
It's
a
plan,
it's
a
policy
document,
but
it's
not
an
ordinance
planners
like
to
call
it
a
living
document.
It's
it's
something
that
can
be
reevaluated
over
time
and
can
change
over
time
as
circumstances
change,
but
it
is
the
foundation
for
your
land
use,
ordinances,
capital
improvements,
programs,
things
that
the
city
has
under
its
control
to
be
able
to
steer
development
growth
redevelopment
in
the
community.
So
it
takes
existing
plans.
B
Then
it
uses,
though
it
presents
that
material
to
your
citizens,
to
stakeholders
in
the
community
and
you
get
feedback
on
what
the
vision
of
the
community
is
and
what
the
guiding
principles
are,
and
so
that
is
where
you
kind
of
leave
off
at
the
plan
and
then,
where
ordinances,
City
processes
policy
start
so
right
now
we
are
in
the
process
of
kind
of
wrapping
up
that
public
involvement
period
and
transitioning
into
a
formal
adoption
process.
Soon.
Okay,.
A
B
A
B
The
vision
statement
that
came
out
and
I'm
I
am
it's
a
bit
verbose,
so
I'm
kind
of
paraphrasing
here
is
that
the
city
of
Aiken
has
a
foundation
on
historic
architecture,
landscapes,
equestrian
culture
and
the
charm
and
talents
of
its
people,
and
that
as
a
city
as
we
as
it
continues
to
grow,
it
should
grow
based
on
those
foundations
and
from
that
we
have
six
guiding
principles.
That
kind
of
just
one
word
guiding
principles
with
with
a
bunch
of
subtext
that
people
can
go
to
plan,
Aiken,
org
and
and
and
and
check
out
for
themselves.
B
I
won't
go
through
all
of
them,
but
there's
multiple
points
under
each
of
these
and
those
are
growth,
connectivity,
transformation,
consistency,
balance
and
investment.
So
with
growth,
the
main
principle
is
to
grow
in
an
orderly
manner
that
enhances
the
quality
and
strengths
that
exist
in
aiken
connectivity.
We
want
to
be
a
community
that,
as
connected
with
not
only
physical
connection
like
transportation
linkages
between
places,
but
with
as
a
people
to
be
able
to
provide
that
connectivity.
B
B
B
Is
hard
and
but
again
going
going
back
and
took
too
many
Riley's
comments
is
that
it's
nearly
impossible
to
stay
still
and
thrive
as
a
community.
Something
is
always
going
to
be
changing
and
it's
just
being
able
to
manage
and
and
make
sure
that
that
change
is
the
kind
of
change
that
you
want
and
that
it's
consistent
with
your
community
sure.
A
B
Again,
consistency
is
the
next
guiding
principle
and
that's
has
a
lot
to
do
with
how
we,
as
a
city,
purvey
services,
annex
properties
that
how
we
treat
individuals
you'll
investments
as
businesses
as
they
come
through.
We
want
to
be
fair
and
equitable,
and
so
that
is
is
one
thing
that
we
heard
this
to
be
consistent
in
the
way
we
apply
our
processes
as
a
city.
So
balance
is
that
again
we.
This
is
one
that
kind
of
came
up
a
lot
from
the
date
of
the
plan
as
much
as
public
involvement.
B
One
of
the
one
of
the
things
that
came
out
of
the
plan
is
that
we
are
demographically,
an
older
community
but
a
fairly
well-off
social
economic
community.
So
the
idea
would
be,
though,
to
as
time
goes
on
see
if
we
can
facilitate
balancing
that
out,
where
you
have
young
professionals
that
want
to
live
and
thrive
in
Aiken,
and
then
that
starts
with
obviously
businesses
where
people
work
its
its
facilities.
B
B
The
size
I've,
been
very
impressed
with
the
community
amenities
that
exist
and
then
housing
choice,
making
sure
that
that
you
have
options
as
to
where
you
live,
and
not
only
you
can
start
out
at
you
know
as
the
the
guy
right
out
of
college
and
his
first
job
and
have
that
option
to
stay
in
Aiken
and
move
up
as
you
move
up
in
your
career
and
get
a
family
and
grow
a
family
and
and
retire
so
to
be
balanced.
In
that
way.
Sure.
A
B
Then
investment
is
just
to
make
sure
your
processes
as
a
city,
things
that
you
can
control
with
with
with
taxpayer
dollars
grants
that
those
align
with
with
some
of
the
the
concepts
in
the
plan
to
be
able
to
effect
positive
change
through
community
investment,
and
that's
not
just
us
but
being
able
to
make
partnerships
with
other
entities
out
there
who
view
our
community
and
affect
our
community
very
positively.
We
have
a
university
in
town,
USC,
Aiken
that
you
know
is
very
involved
in
the
community.
We
have
school
districts.
A
And
you
know
what
I
find
so
interesting
about
you
know,
hearing
about
these
these
items
from
from
the
comprehensive
plan
is,
you
know,
we've
had
some
other
studies
going
on
in
the
city
and
some
of
these
very
things
have
been
echoed
throughout
other
things
that
we're
taking
a
look
at
in
the
city.
So
it's
really
an
exciting
time
and
hearing
that
you
know
this.
This
is
a
consistent.
You
know
a
lot
of
the.
A
Themes
that
are
coming
in
and
no
one
that
we
have
you
know
we
want
to
take
a
look
at
this,
for
you
mean
you
were
just
talking
about
our
partners
and
attracting
making
sure
that
we're
solid
and
that
we're
going
to
be
attracting
in
a
good
way
and
in
a
smart
way
that
we
tackle
these
things.
So
it's
I
think
it's
just
a
fantastic
thing
to
just
to
see
these.
These
different
types
of
ideas,
just
all
meshing
at
the
same
time
and.
B
I
guess
it's
just
stuff
and
point
out
that
I
kind
of
mentioned
it
before,
but
one
of
the
foundations
of
the
plan
is
to
make
sure
you
don't
just
throw
out
any
previous
existing
plan
or
process
or
vision
that
came
through
before
the
plan.
Is
that
you
review
those
incorporate
those
and,
and
they
take
into
account
those
as
you
create
the
plan,
that's
kind
of
the
comprehensive
nature
of
the
comprehensive
plan.
B
So
you
know,
and
and
we've
been
very
appreciative
at
the
amount
of
involvement
community
involvement
to
create
those
sorts
of
things,
those
existing
efforts
that
have
either
taken
place
or
some
of
them
currently
taking
place.
Another
manners.
So
we
are
taking
all
of
that
into
account
in
the
new
plan
very.
A
B
A
process
first
worked
by
adopting
the
plan.
You
have
to
have
a
plan
that
meets
your
state
standards,
which,
in
in
South
Carolina,
is
every
10
years.
You
have
to
completely
revisit
your
plan
and
every
five
years
you
have
to
just
essentially
review
the
plan
to
make
sure
that
it's
still
relevant
so
we're
at
the
10-year
mark,
and
we
need
to
make
sure
that
we
have
a
document
that
we
can
say
this.
This
this
reflects
who
we
are
as
a
community
and
how
we
want
to
move
forward.
A
B
We
want
to
make
sure
and
make
sure
that
the
Planning
Commission
process
is
thorough,
sure
and
that
they're
comfortable
with
moving
the
document
forward.
So
after
that,
though,
you
start
looking
at
those
items
that
I
didn't
necessarily
list
off
that
are
attached
to
each
of
these
guiding
principles,
and
you
start
figuring
out
the
things
that
you
can
do
like
revisiting
zoning
ordinances,
revisiting
policies
for
visiting
incentives
and
trying
to
figure
out
if
those
actually
do
what
they're
supposed
to
do
effectively
implementing
your
plan.
B
A
B
A
B
B
A
The
plan
is
get
as
much
public
input
as
possible
and
we're
trying
to
be
as
transparent
as
we
can
with
going
forward
and
moving
this
to
to
to
the
council
level,
where
eventually
there'll
be
a
recommendation
for
adoption.
So
and
I
know
too
that
this
was
a
very
fascinating
process
when
we
had
miss
Stewart
on
to
initially
talked
about
this,
you
know
so
so.
This
is
something
that
that
South
Carolina
deems
it
has
to
be
done.
There
are
lots
of
other
layers
that
play
into
just
having
this
comprehensive
plan.
Mm-Hmm.
B
A
You
know
what
we're
doing
this
now
and
then
we'll
kind
of
re-evaluate
in
another
five
years
and
then
another
ten
years,
so
we're
constantly
making
sure
in
ensuring
that
as
a
city,
we
are
taking
a
look
at
what
we
need
to
make
ourselves
a
lot
more
efficient
and
grow.
The
way
that
we
as
a
community
want
to
go.
B
That's
necessarily
have
to
be
every
five
years.
You
don't
have
to
wait
five
years,
you
don't
have
to
wait
ten
years.
It
might
be
something
that
you
can
kind
of
systematically
do
from
year
to
year.
I
I
think
that
was
mentioned
when,
when
the
chair
Stewart
was
on
the
program
that
it
might
be
more
appropriate
moving
forward
to
evaluate
different
elements
at
different
times.
A
B
A
B
A
To
go
to
our
counting
our
City
Council,
so
what
did
what
did?
This
is
fantastic
time
to
really
step
into
the
position
of
planning
director
Ryan?
Is
there
anything
that
we
haven't
touched
on?
This
is
a
very
big
umbrella
that
is
there
anything
that
we
haven't
touched
on.
That's
we're
wrapping
up
today.
B
I,
don't
think
so.
I
think
the
one
thing
I
just
wanted
to
make
sure
and
say
is
that
I
hope
that
people
know
this
at
the
Planning
Commission
staff
here
has
gone
through
a
lot
of
transition,
but
they
have
done
a
wonderful
job
for
the
community
at
at
putting
in
the
effort
to
make
sure
that
the
city's
continued
to
develop
in
a
manner
that
I
think
is
positive.
You
know,
as
we
transition
to
a
new
director
myself,
I
can't
thank
them
enough
for
how
they've
welcomed
me
here.
B
I
can't
thank
the
community
enough
for
how
they've
welcomed
me
here.
I've
gotten
a
lot
of
warm
responses
out
there
as
I've
met
people
and
I
couldn't
be
more
appreciative,
so
I'm
thrilled
to
be
here
I'm
excited
to
be
here.
It's
an
exciting
time.
It's
a
lovely
community
and
I
just
hope
to
be
here
for
for
a
long
time
to
see
the
city
continue
to
grow
and
develop
and
to
make
sure
the
best
I
can
that
it
grows
the
way
that
the
people
of
Aiken
wanted
to
very.
A
Good
well
run
weird,
just
delighted
that
you're
here
and
I
hope
that
we
can
check
in
with
each
other
from
time
to
time,
have
you
back
on
Aiken
this
week
to
see
all
these
fantastic
things
that
are
going
forward
and
what
the
planning
department
is
up
to.
So
thank
you
for
taking
a
few
minutes
out
of
your
schedule
today.
Thank.