Destiny is in hand of community
Staff reporter
An updating of Hillsboro's comprehensive plan was approved Thursday by Hillsboro Community Planning and Development Commission.
It was determined at the meeting community members will need to participate in public meetings and community assessments to make the comprehensive plan viable and useful.
John Riggs, Hillsboro's planning and zoning consultant, explained the city's comprehensive plan should be updated annually with major planning occurring every 10 years.
Riggs also told the commission planning grants have been discontinued. Approximate costs for a plan for Hillsboro would be between $25,000 and $30,000.
Steve Garrett, city administrator and zoning administrator, said there is some money ($7,500) in the budget for planning. Riggs noted Lamar, Colo., did the city's plan over four budget years.
The average length of time to complete the plan is 18 months, if it is worked on continuously, said Riggs.
"The comprehensive plan would take about 12 months," Riggs said. "With updating of zoning regulations, the total time would be 18 months."
Garrett voiced his concerns about the plan being put "on the shelf and not used."
Riggs said it was up to the city administration.
"Some communities use plans, some don't," Riggs said. "Policies are set with plans to implement. Aggressive administration can utilize a plan."
Garrett commented the city needs to take the lead. Riggs agreed but he said the community needs to support it.
All community stakeholders need to get involved and participate in the process.
Stakeholders include realtors and developers, ministerial group, downtown business owners, industrial owners and managers, economic development professionals and volunteers, representation from the elderly, youth, hospital, college, and school district.
Public meetings will need to be held to give everyone a chance to express an opinion.
Riggs said the planning could be completed in phases with phase one costing between $12,000 and $15,000.
Extra-territorial jurisdiction for cities will be a future issue in Marion County, Riggs commented.
The planning commission was asked to head-up the process. Reporting needs to be made by a local newspaper.
Commission chairman Gaylord Goertzen said, "Standing still is going backward."
"The economy has changed since the last comprehensive plan," Garrett said. "We can be masters of our destiny with proper planning. The community will need to pull together to accomplish it."
Dalke said she was mayor in 1991-92 when the last plan was completed.
"We had paid $30,000 and did not see one piece of paper to show for our work," Dalke said.
Riggs assured Dalke the city will be billed only when work is completed and the work will be shared as it is completed.
Garrett commented the plan will probably stretch through three budget years. He will ask Hillsboro City Council for approval of updating the plan during the next planning meeting.
The next planning commission meeting will 7 p.m. May 27 in council chambers.
