Title
Lee's Summit Long-Range Master Development Plan
Body
Lee's Summit's Comprehensive Plan has not been updated since 2005. The Land Use Plan has been updated periodically but not in a cohesive manner with the text. Staff believes the time is right to provide that in-depth analysis and be prepared for the next chapter in our city's development history. With continued new development, additional annexed areas, major corridor development and redevelopment opportunities, the city stands at a threshold to provide positive direction for how that continued development and redevelopment should occur. The Master Development Plan is a long range planning guide (20+ years) as to what the city is striving for in conjunction with the City's Vision.
Staff will be following the "Strategic Plan" and incorporating the resulting "vision and goals" to establish the initial framework for the Master Development Plan consultant to begin their work. The Master Development Plan will utilize the framework established by the Strategic Plan to help create a new outlook and direction. The ultimate goal for the Master Development Plan update is to to produce a long term growth vision from citizen participation. Staff will be requesting a City Council appointed Steering Committee to provide feedback and work alongside staff, the consultant and Planning Commission to achieve the desired results. The Master Development Plan will also be a web-based interactive planning tool that the general public will find easy to navigate.
The Master Development Plan is based on the vision, values, and expectations of the community. Through a thorough public input process the plan is developed, creating a framework for making important decisions while guiding the community's growth and development for the next 20+ years. The plan is the basis for numerous types of decisions faced by City leaders, examples include:
- Approval or Denial of development projects;
- Pursuing investment in transportation infrastructure;
- Building City facilities, parks, and emergency services facilities;
- Maintenance and expansion of water and sewer services; and
- Modifying city code and ordinance language.
Ultimately all these decisions and many others translate into the built environment we experience every day and our way of life in our community. These decisions also provide guidance into the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Budget. By having a strong Master Development Plan with clear goals, the Planning Commission and Governing Body have a clear direction provided by the citizenry, to make decisions which will shape the City for years to come.
Why does the Comprehensive Plan need updating?
Updates are necessary to reflect the changing needs and desires of a community, the changing economic climate, the changing environment, and changing development trends.
Updating the plan allows communities to reassess their values and reflect on how the community can work towards developing policies and practices that better reflect those values in future land use decisions.
Once the Strategic Planning process is underway the Master Development Plan RFP will be posted for consultant responses. Staff anticipates the Master Development Plan will lag behind the Strategic Plan in order to fully utilize the vision and goals that are generated through that process.
A draft summary of the anticipated Master Development Plan objectives and process outline is attached for information purposes.
Presenter
Presenter: Robert McKay, AICP, Director of Planning and Special Projects
Requester: Planning and Special Projects