Date:

April 1, 2002

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831
Kent Morgan, Planning Department, 441-7491

Mayor Don Wesely today said he supports adding more than four square miles of land to the proposed Comprehensive Plan to accommodate the growth of the city over the next 25 years. He also emphasized the importance of the adoption of impact fees for new development to help pay for the growth of the city. The Mayor will recommend the addition of land to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission, which will vote on the Plan April 3.

"I have listened to the testimony and have met with many people on the Comprehensive Plan over the past 15 months," said Wesely. "I support the addition of land for development, but it is vital for everyone to understand that adding land is inconsequential if there is not sufficient financing to pay for building the sewers, water and street infrastructure to make the land suitable for development. It's clear that financing the infrastructure is the key to the Comprehensive Plan."

The Comprehensive Plan submitted to the Planning Commission divides future growth areas into three tiers: urbanization within the next 25 years, in 25 to 50 years, and beyond 50 years. Priority levels have been set within the tiers. The tiers are based on the long-standing planning policies of continuous growth that follows natural features and supports the efficient use of infrastructure and tax funds.

The Mayor said he will recommend to the Planning Commission that 4.6 square miles be added in the Stevens Creek area to Tier I, priority 3 of the Comprehensive Plan.

Wesely said he will also suggest the Commission:

• Authorize a mobility study to examine alternative forms of transportation, including bus service and trails.
• Conduct a transportation study of south and southwest Lincoln that considers the long-term mobility needs of the area. This study would look at a full range of transportation alternatives, including needed road improvements, trail enhancements and options for pedestrians and public transportation. This multi-modal approach to transportation planning for the area would be substituted for the Yankee Hill Road Crossing Study currently proposed in the draft C
• Comprehensive Plan.

The Planning Commission's meeting on the Comprehensive Plan begins at 1 p.m. April 3 in the chambers of the County-City Building, 555 South 10th Street.