Residents give feedback for the new comprehensive plan in March.
Daily Journal file photo
EDINBURGH — A plan for Edinburgh’s future has cleared the final vote.
The Edinburgh Town Council approved a new comprehensive plan Monday with recommendations including a town utilities master plan, parks board and five-year parks and recreation master plan and historic overlay district, among other items.
The plan was approved unanimously by the members present, with council president Ryan Piercefield not in attendance.
Employees at HWC Engineering have been working on the new comprehensive plan since January. The team heard from over 460 voices through focus groups, a workshop in March, a Big Ideas open house in May, stakeholder meetings and more, according to Genevieve Zircher, planner at HWC Engineering.
The Edinburgh Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the council for the plan on Nov. 19.
“It’s been a pleasure, we really enjoyed working on this plan. It’s been so exciting for us and it’s just been great to be part of this process and part of this community and learn from everyone,” Zircher said.
In July, planners presented the public draft to the plan commission for feedback prior to adoption. During their presentation, they said they determined that there were several emerging themes from the public: community pride and identity, a desire for downtown revitalization, a need for a variety of housing options, placemaking and infrastructure, recreation and youth engagement.
Although the plan has 13 focus area chapters, Zircher only touched on some key points at Monday’s meeting.
Some highlights from the plan include:
- Updating the zoning map and ordinances and creating a Utilities Master Plan
- Collaborating with Festival Country and establishing a Main Street group
- Creating a Riverfront Activation Plan “to enliven the Big Blue River”
- Establishing a parks board and Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan
- Consider implementing a historic overlay district to protect downtown resources and create historic walking tours
- Launching a youth task force and developing student internship opportunities
- Making a public greenspace and using public art to enhance downtown
- Creating a rehabilitation program for residential properties
- Developing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and completing a Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Inventory
- Considering upgrading existing amenities, like the sports complex, aquatic center and Irwin Park.
The approved plan doesn’t have previous edits that planning commission member Robert Ackerman requested yet because the representatives from HWC Engineering wanted to get any edits from the council first before applying all edits to the approved final draft. Rachel Christenson, planning studio lead at HWC Engineering, said Ackerman’s edits weren’t substantial changes.
No one spoke for or against the new comprehensive plan on Monday during the public hearing.
“Appreciate all your hard work,” said Miriam Rooks, council member.“I know that Julie (Young, planning director), you’ve worked well with them as well. A great effort on everybody’s behalf.”
