Templeton Community Planning project was conducted by the fourth year undergraduate students enrolled in the Community Planning Laboratory.  This two-quarter long course was designed to involve students in service learning and expose them to state-of-the-art technology and techniques used in “real-world” planning situations.  This project addresses a multitude of planning aspects including case study research; analysis of the natural and built environments; examination of demographic and housing data; economic development; public involvement; development of community vision and goals; and creation of land use and urban design concepts.  Students utilized state-of-the-art computer programs including GIS, 3-D modeling, and PLACE3S to facilitate data analysis and community participation. 

Templeton is an unincorporated community of 7,800 residents, located just north of Atascadero in San Luis Obispo County, California.  It is currently the second fastest growing community in the County, but it continues to be a bedroom community with limited commercial activities.  The San Luis Obispo County Planning & Building Department and community residents were interested in identifying ways to optimize future development in Templeton through the application of Smart Growth principles.  The Templeton Area Advisory Group, the Templeton Community Services District, and many Templeton residents welcomed the class and contributed to the preparation of a 25-year plan for future development. 

This community planning process spanned two academic quarters --Fall 2004 and Winter 2005.  Its findings and recommendations are summarized in two documents: Templeton 2004 Community Profile and Templeton 2030 Community Plan.

1. Regional Location Map

Templeton 2004 Community Profile contains a summary of an in-depth community study conducted to obtain the background information needed to make informed recommendations for future development in Templeton.  The Profile was prepared following the State of California General Plan Guidelines and is organized into ten chapters.  Data collection and analysis of the natural and built environment involved research of existing plans, government documents, performing windshield surveys, and a comprehensive parcel-by-parcel land use survey.  These findings were compiled to present a picture of existing community dynamics. The findings, including build-out population projections, were presented at a Community Visioning Workshop in December 2004.

Templeton 2030 Community Plan contains community plan elements with goals, objectives, and policy recommendations for future development, as well as selected implementation measures. The community plan is a meaningful expression of community values, comprehensive research, and the application of smart growth principles. A Cognitive Survey and Visual Preference Survey were conducted in the community to further the students’ understanding of preferred development types and community image. A cognitive mapping exercise included Templeton schools to gather information about what aspects of the community were most important to youth.  After analyzing this additional community input five concept scenarios were created to address a variety of growth rates and development ideas. The five alternative concepts were evaluated by fellow students, local planning professionals, and Templeton residents. The best features of the five alternatives were synthesized into two alternative concepts, which were then presented to the community at a workshop in February. Workshop participants discussed the plans in small groups, identified their preferences, drew their ideas on maps, and took a survey rating the desirability of key features.

The Community Plan document is organized in twelve chapters: Project Overview; Community Involvement; Application of Smart Growth Principles; Land Use; Urban Design; Historic Preservation; Population and Housing; Economic Development; Circulation, Noise, and Public Facilities; Open Space, Conservation and Safety; and Recreation and Community Services.

The final product of this community study reflects extensive research, community input, the San Luis Obispo County General Plan goals and objectives, and the application of Smart Growth principles to future development in Templeton. Students participated in and were responsible for all stages of project development including project management, facilitation of community workshops, and production of class documents. The final product of the Community Planning Laboratory demonstrates that a partnership between a community, planning professionals, and an academic institution can greatly benefit all participants.