Use of story maps or other apps for staff presentations to Planning Commissions

[JoshWhite]

I've seen lots of story maps and apps for things like Comprhensive Plans but I haven't really seen anything related to regular staff reports for things like rezonings, conditional use permits etc.  There is a public comment app but I am wondering if anybody has ever done a staff report using dynamic mapping presenatation.  Planning Commission meetings can be a rather dull thing to go through as much of the staff report is full of technical jargon and sometimes repeating of the same answers in the case of the Golden Rules that we use here in Kansas.  Anything to spice up a boring powerpoint presentation.

[AdrianWelsh]

From working in a state agency, people are starting to really love the Map Journal template. It's basically a souped up powerpoint that adds a dynamic mapping component. I would highly suggest using that since all the decision-makers I have seen really appreciated how simple it is to use and how the link can be shareable.

Story Map Journal | Story Maps

[JoshWhite]

Thanks, I am trying to test this out but everytime I try to add a map, it tells me the layer is not responding.  I can open up the same thing in ArcGIS Online just fine.  Ever experienced that before?

[AdrianWelsh]

Well, this happens occasionally on a busy server. Sometimes if you just wait, the layer will then respond. Sometimes I feel that the server might need resetting or the service might need restarting.

There are a lot of 'testing' actions needed to be done with story maps, you'll find, but that's the joy of ArcGIS Online!

[PatrickMcKinney1]

We have a developed a story map to provide a quick review of land use conditions for a given site for use in Planning Commission meetings.  Here is the link: Planning Review Series, Cumberland County, PA​

It uses the tabbed theme and provides maps for the following areas:

• Tax parcels (with pop-ups)
• Existing Land Use (parcel-based land use)
• Future Land Use
• Generalized municipal zoning (aggregated by general types)
• Agricultural Resources (preserved farms, ag security areas)
• Soils (non-irrigated compatibility class)

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're asking about, but perhaps it will give you some ideas. 

[JoshWhite]

Thats a good set up you have there.  I was hoping to actually convert my powerpoint into a story map, just not sure how to get started.  I'd like to see if anyone else has tried what I am thinking about.