Date:

May 28, 2002

For More Information Contact:

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

Mayor Don Wesely said today’s final approval of the new Lincoln-Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan is an important step forward for the community. In separate meetings, both the Lancaster County Board and the Lincoln City Council unanimously approved the Plan.

"We now have a common vision for the future growth of our community, a plan to ensure that our high quality of life will continue," said Mayor Wesely. "This document is the result of much discussion and hard work, not just by local government entities, but also by many members of the public. Many citizens recognized the importance of the Comprehensive Plan and became involved in the process. I appreciate the dedication of everyone involved."

Wesely said the new Comprehensive Plan includes a number of "firsts:"

• The Plan integrates pedestrians, bicyclists, trail users and public transit customers into transportation planning. A system-wide study of the transportation system is planned.
• The Plan includes a chapter on environmental and natural resource planning, which calls for the creation of the Salt Valley Heritage Greenway, a park area that laces around the future urban areas.
• The Plan includes a chapter on future business and commerce growth that provides for an expanded commercial and industrial base as well as greater opportunities for development.
• The Plan incorporates economic development with the Comprehensive Plan.

The Plan also supported the creation of affordable, quality housing in all areas of the community and the addition of about 10 to12 square miles in the Stevens Creek Basin to the city’s 25-year growth plan.

"The key to adding land in the Comprehensive Plan for development is infrastructure financing -- adopting impact fees to help pay for the new sewers, streets and utilities," said Wesely. "Maintaining services in existing neighborhoods is a priority. Establishing a solid infrastructure financing system will allow us to do that by having growth pay its fair share."

The development of the new Comprehensive Plan officially began with community workshops in January 2001, although several projects had been undertaken earlier to lay some groundwork. They included a community attitude survey, the Infrastructure Financing Study, the Stevens Creek Basin Initiative. The Mayor had also appointed a citizen-based Comprehensive Plan Committee in August 2000.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission unanimously approved the Plan April 3. The unanimous votes by the County Board and City Council were preceded by joint public hearings on the Plan May 8 and 22.