Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 4:57 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 6:36 p.m.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH Protecting the Indian River Lagoon, preserving land for public use, redeveloping U.S. 1 and managing growth on State Road 44 should be top priorities for city officials.

Thats according to surveys filled out by residents and visitors, feedback that will be used as part of a wide-ranging effort to craft a plan that charts the citys course for the next 25 years.

I know were over 500 in terms of surveys received, which is just awesome, City Manager Pam Brangaccio said Monday.

City officials are also seeking the publics help to steer the planning process during a day-long community forum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Brannon Center, 105 S. Riverside Drive.

Rebecca Ryan, a nationally renowned futurist from Madison, Wis., will be the keynote speaker and lead the forum, in part talking about how national and international trends can impact the citys planning. The city is paying Ryan about $11,375, plus travel expenses, an amount approved by the City Commission in December as part of the total funding for Saturdays visioning event.

Those who attend will break into groups to discuss what steps need to be taken to address each of the citys biggest concerns, Brangaccio said. Several provocateurs, or experts on each topic, will help lead the discussions. They are: Mike Abels, a University of Central Florida instructor and former DeLand city manager, who will speak about neighborhood preservation; Ken Parker, retired Port Orange city manager, who will discuss State Road 44 development; Clay Henderson, an environmental attorney, will talk about the Indian River Lagoon; New Smyrna Beach Vice Mayor Jason McGuirk, who owns the Dairy Queen on North Dixie Freeway, will talk about redevelopment of the blighted corridor: Doug Weaver, former director of Volusia Countys Land Acquisition and Management Department, will discuss preservation and management of parks and open space, and Denise Mott, Team Volusias director of business development, will talk about economic development and job creation, said Holly Smith, the citys public information officer.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. For more information contact the citys Planning Department at 386-424-2132.

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