Introducing, Small Bites.
Small Bites is a virtual training series delivering relevant and valuable tools on the implementation of small-scale development. Led by our diverse faculty, they’ll offer expertise drawn from real-life experiences. These one-hour “bite size” sessions are for people of all skill levels, from small-scale developers and local advocates, to policymakers. An opportunity to ask questions is included at the end of each session.
Time advertised is in Central Time.
How to Political-Proof Your Comprehensive Plan Process
Presented by Matthew Peacock
Comprehensive plans often fail for one simple reason: they’re easy to dismiss as “someone’s agenda.” The most resilient plans—especially in politically divided communities—aren’t built around big projects, flashy renderings, or technical land use maps. They’re built around community-identified principles that shape decisions from the very beginning and continue guiding implementation long after adoption.
Norman’s AIM 2045 process offers a replicable model for “political-proofing” a comp plan by anchoring it to what residents consistently prioritize: walkable places, safer multimodal connectivity, a range of housing options, quality-of-life amenities like trails and green space, and thoughtful growth that strengthens neighborhoods rather than destabilizing them. When these priorities become the operating principles of the plan, they reduce political volatility by making the plan harder to caricature as partisan, developer-driven, or disconnected from daily life.
The practical advantage of a principles-first process is that it creates legitimacy and clarity. It gives staff, elected officials, and residents a shared language for evaluating tradeoffs. Instead of debating every proposal as a one-off political fight (“growth vs no growth”), the community gains a consistent decision framework: Does this advance the goals people already said they want? That’s what turns engagement from a checkbox exercise into a governing tool.
Most importantly, “political-proof” doesn’t mean controversy-free—it means durable enough to survive controversy. Plans that hold up over time are the ones that translate public input into measurable actions: implementation tables, regulatory updates, capital improvement priorities, and simple public-facing scorecards that keep the work moving and prevent backsliding.
In this session, attendees can expect to gain insights on:
A principles filter to quickly screen rezonings, PUDs/SPUDs, corridor projects, TIF discussions, bond/CIP priorities, and major site plans
An implementation tracker to monitor progress and maintain momentum beyond adoption and political cycles
A working matrix that converts principles into action: Principle → Action → Tool/Code Update → Owner → Timeline → Metric
Strategies to integrate the framework into staff analysis and reporting for future projects
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Matthew Peacock, Peacock Design, LLC
Matt Peacock is owner and principal architect of Peacock Design, LLC in Norman and Oklahoma City. He holds a BS in Architecture from OU and serves his third term as Norman City Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tem. Through extensive civic leadership, including Leadership Oklahoma, Norman Arts Council, and Planning Commission, Matt champions placemaking, smart growth, and walkability, aligning people around visions that create vibrant, healthy communities.
REGISTRATION
Small Bites sessions are a complementary membership benefit for Associate and Charter Members. Become a member today! Non-members can register for each session for $25 per ticket.
Recordings will be sent to those who register following the session. This event will be held in Central Standard Time. Details will be sent to attendees upon registration.
Contact
For any questions, message us at training@incrementaldevelopment.org.