What's dat RUDAT? Unique planning process takes a fresh, new look at city facilities, functions
by Elena Tucker, Staff Writer, The Boerne Star

June 10, 2008

Boerne's Master Plan, adopted last year, stepped out of its penny loafers and into high heels this past weekend when it kicked off a process called RUDAT. Which means simply that a panel of renowned and variously-honed specialists from across the United States came to Boerne, combining their expertise and brainstorming about the community's future.

The Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team spent two hours "actively listening" to citizens on Friday night in an open town hall meeting. This, after a flurry of other events that fed into an intensive, two-day brainstorming and planning session tailored to the shaping of Boerne's future.

"We've had close to 16 different events," local co-chairman Ben Adam said. "We've had 600 or 700 people give their opinion on one thing or another so it's been great." It was a chance, he said, for people "to vocalize their opinion about their vision for Boerne. 'This is what we want to keep.' 'This is what we want to stop.' It (was) an open mike."

The RUDAT process is intended to refine a master plan already in place. And, though many cities have master plans, few participate in an event such as this; 140 communities have hosted a RUDAT since 1967. "Only two or three every year," James Abell, the RUDAT's visiting architect and team leader, said. "These do not happen very often," he continued. "These are landmark events. In those 40 years, there have only been seven communities served in Texas and San Antonio never had one and they are watching us. They're considering Boerne to be a test case."

Many people took their turn at the town hall's open mike, voicing their opinions about Boerne's German heritage, traffic, fine arts, walking and bike access, environmental concerns, water collection, and the fact that the area is on a migratory path for birds and butterflies.

"Public response has been wonderful," said Senior City Planner Paul Barwick, "(It's) produced a tremendous volume of useful information about local insight, attitudes, issues, anecdotes, hopes, dreams, etc." He conceded that many residents still aren't clear about just what a RUDAT is. "This is an amazing process," he said, "and a blessing for Boerne that many may not yet be aware of or understand, but hopefully will come to appreciate in the next 5 to 10 years."

Folks may not completely understand the deliberate and sophisticated outcome that is the aim of the weekend's RUDAT - not yet. What they do seem to know, however, is what they like and what they want for the town that they've called home for many years - they know that the shoe, however developed and sophisticated, must fit. "It's not just about business," cautioned Sister Bernadine Reyes. "Boerne is a place to live."

Elena Tucker can be contacted at elena@boernestar.com.