What is a Comprehensive Plan?
Posted on: February 9, 2021 - 10:47am
A comprehensive plan is an expression of the community’s vision for the future and a strategic map to reach that vision. Comprehensive planning is an important tool for cities to guide future development of land to ensure a safe, pleasant, and economical environment for residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities. Planning can help:
- Preserve important natural resources, agricultural land, and other open lands
- Create an opportunity for residents to participate in guiding a community’s future
- Identify issues, stay ahead of trends, and accommodate change
- Ensure that growth makes the community better, not just bigger
- Foster sustainable economic development
- Ensure more efficient and cost-effective infrastructure and public services
- Provide an opportunity to consider future implications of today’s decisions
- Protect property rights and values
- Enable other public and private entities to plan their activities in harmony with the municipality’s plans
A comprehensive plan sets forth a vision and goals for a city’s future and provides the overall foundation for all land-use regulations in the city. State law encourages all cities to prepare and implement a comprehensive municipal plan.