1972-03-21 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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^ti Comprehensive Planning in New Brighton Although there have been many planning studies conducted in the past, it was not until the fall of 1910 that it was determined that a "comprehensive" plan should be developed for New Brighton. At that time it was decided that Land -use and thoroughfares should be the first areas to be pursued. The 'Planning Commission over the last one and one -half years has been working on these two components of the comprehensive plan. The result thus far is the proposed land use plan being presented at the town meeting. Thn reasons for developing a comprehensive plan are largely answered in describing what such a plan is and what it door Basically, a comprehensive plan is an official public document adopted by a local government as a policy guide to decisions about the physical develop- ment of the community. The plan is both general and long range in nature. "General." means that the plan summarizes policies and proposals and does not indicate specific locations or detailed regulations. "Long range" indicates that the plan looks beyond the foreground of pressing current issues to the perspective of problems and possibilities 10, 20, and 30 years in the future. While it is long range in nature, it is also used to shape current so the community might approximate in 20 years the appearance comprehensive plan. Because of a comprehensive plan's general nature, it can accomplish what single purpose plans cannot. By looking at the village as a whole and not a specific part, policy decisions become available which are based on the effect -that a specific improvement or decision has on the overall goals and plans of the community. Also specific plane can be tied together more easily once the general goals of the community have been developed. one further purpose of the comprehensive plan is the groundwork lays for development guidelines and ordinances. This is often an area of great confusion, with clarification necessary. Zoning and subdivision regulations are essential to the effectuation of a comprehensive plan, but they are not often concerned as to the effect the plan has on them. A comprehensive plan does not rezone any properties. Rezoning requires public notice and a public hearing for each parcel involved. The plan, however, does act as a guide for future rezonings whether upon petition of the land owner or by council initiative. Zoning ordinance changes, subdivision regulation changes, and rezonings 'may be guided by a comprehensive plan, but they are not a part of it. The proposed land -use plan presented at the town meeting is only a start. Much work remains to be done. However, both now and in the near future the residents of New Brighton have an opportunity to provide input into what the community will be like 20 years from now.