WPCNR THE PLANNING NEWS. September 25, 2006: The Citizens Plan Committee, the vigilante planning organization that stimulated the city into executing its long delayed update of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, is calling for the city to conduct its promised "annual review" of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan in a statement released to the media. Here is the Citizens Plan Committee Statement:
September 25, 2006
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
We were pleased that, at the Council meeting of July 11th, the 1997 Comprehensive Plan was updated per the extensive analyses and reports prepared by the Planning Department staff. We respectfully suggest that it would be useful were the Plan actions to be publicized by appropriate mailings to the general public and to all property owners.
(More)
Recognizing that there would be a continuing need to revise its comprehensive strategy in response to inevitable changes in economic, social and physical conditions in the community, the 1997 Plan recommended that (1) the Planning Board annually assess the effectiveness of implementation programs, suggesting revisions and amendments, and that (2) a major update be undertaken every five years, under the auspices of the Common Council and that it include widespread citizen participation. We trust that the Council and staff will be scheduling such a review with the expectation of Council action in 2007. We are pleased to offer our assistance in the conduct of this review.
We respectfully call to your attention the following major issues facing the City which we believe should be addressed as an essential part of the Plan review:
• City/School District interdependence
• Significant demographic changes and implications
• Previously unanticipated fiscal issues
• Ramifications of new technological advances
• Urban Core design concerns
And, finally, we respectfully suggest setting a schedule of public informational meetings, starting this Fall, for purposes of informing citizens of issues to be reviewed and to encourage their participation in the overall planning effort.
As always your assistance will be very much appreciated. We look forward to your positive response.
Respectfully submitted,
The Citizens’ Plan Committee
