Comprehensive Plan

City Council has entered into a contract with Bolten-Menk to develop a unified vision among community members, elected officials, and the community.  The current Comprehensive Plan is outdated and does not provide a long-range vision or goals for the City.   Most plans are written to provide direction for ten to twenty years after their adoption.

City Administrator Mandsager highlighted the benefit of having a cohesive plan in place and how the planning process provides an opportunity for citizens to give their input.  Bolten-Menk will use a variety of tools to gain public input and encourage the Commission members to be involved with the process. 

A comprehensive plan serves the following functions:

• The plan provides continuity. The plan provides continuity across time and gives successive public bodies a common framework for addressing land use issues.

• It is a tool the City can use to seek funding by illustrating the City's goals are in place and identifying the community's needs

•It allows communities to plan development in a way that protects their valued resources and identifies environmental features like stormwater issues, transportation needs, and housing needs

• It provides guidance for shaping the appearance of the community.

• It promotes economic development.

• It provides justification for decisions.

Bolten-Menk will also recommend updates to the zoning and subdivision code that will support the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.  Council discussed the benefits of doing the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code at the same time.