MASTER PLAN HISTORY

 ARCHITECT BYRON PINCKERT walks the property and discusses with the Board of Directors and other volunteers different options for Meher Mount's master plan. Spring 2008. (Nancy Pinckert photo.)

LONG RANGE PLANNING IS A LONG-TERM EFFORT

Since 2004, the Board has been engaged in a long-range planning process.  Planning for the future of Meher Mount is a careful, thoughtful, and daunting process. 

Over time, the Board and other volunteers have examined a number of options; wrestled with the constraints of the location, infrastructure, land use requirements and funds; and searched for guidance regarding Avatar Meher Baba’s wishes from His remarks.  In the end, much of what has emerged in the plan to date has been guided by the statements Avatar Meher Baba made during His visit to Meher Mount on August 2, 1956. 

In addition, the Board has tried to be both  practical and visionary, taking into consideration the very realistic requirements of the site with the desire to set a framework for many years into the future.  

The journey continues to be a long, winding and fruitful process, and the Board continues to work on and update the Master Plan.  However, there have been decisions made that guide the direction, purpose and role of the Master Plan.

A SHORT HISTORY OF A LONG PLANNING PROCESS

The master planning process for Meher Mount began with a community meeting on February 7, 2004 attended by about 45 people.  Participants divided into workgroups to discusss: the purpose of Meher Mount; dreams for Meher Mount; and what you would like to see happen in the next five years.

All the meeting notes were compiled and reviewed at a second smaller community meeting on May 22, 2004. Planning then continued at a slower, but steady pace, while the Board explored and researched various options.

The planning process received a push in 2007 with a $20,000 donation for a tractor and another $20,000 donation toward a fire-proof shed/barn to house the tractor.  As discussions proceeded regarding the shed/barn, they naturally raised the issue of overall planning and direction.

One thing led to another, and the Board began to explore options and ideas not only for the shed/barn, but also for the entire property.  At that time, Meher Mount received the professional volunteer help of an architect who was particularly taken with the property and the use of land.  The architect, Byron Pinckert, has worked with the Board on conceptualizing ways to address the land, location and design of buildings.