Planning commission discusses goals, objectives
Hillsboro Planning Commission met Thursday with John Riggs of Riggs and Associates of Lindsborg to discuss section II, the goals and objectives, of the city's comprehensive community plan.
The 15-page preliminary booklet prepared by Riggs deals with goals and the planning process, goals and objectives defined, goals and objectives for comprehensive planning, and planning standards.
After discussing items in the booklet, Riggs then took the commission through the steps to achieve the vision of the community and planning commission.
"The commission is suppose to be imagining the future of Hillsboro," Riggs said. "If the commission and community have the vision, they can make it happen."
Riggs suggested the commission use the community survey that was taken approximately one year ago as a starting point for what Hillsboro citizens see as their vision for the city.
"You'll have to go to the people," he said. "Analyze the survey and start with the goals and objectives. You need the results of the survey. Then you can begin to make judgments."
The planning commission then held a 45-minute round table discussion about what they like about Hillsboro. Comments ranged from the safety of the community, good school system, churches, and college.
"We're a growing, viable community," said chair Gaylord Goertzen. "We're alive and feeling there is a future here."
According to Riggs, the external view of Hillsboro is positive with outsiders seeing it as a place with which they can identify.
"As the community grows and changes, how do we keep the aspects of the community we hold dear?" questioned city administrator Steve Garrett.
"Those core values are usually maintained by peer pressure," Riggs said. "They are developed through social osmosis. You need to hand out the results of the survey and take a hard look at what the public has to say."
The commission had a short discussion about institutional zoning and carports. No action was taken.
The next planning commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.
