Published: June 26, 2009 06:53 pm      

Public hearing scheduled for Comp Plan

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — A public hearing has been scheduled for the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

According to City Manager Ron Neibert, the Comprehensive Plan is a legal document by state statute, subject to presentation and recommendation of the Zoning and Planning Commission, and must be presented for public comment and hearing prior to adoption by the city council.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 13, in the old council chambers at City Hall.

“The plan serves two major functions for our community,” the hearing notice states. “First, it sets an overall vision for growth and development of the community for the next five to 10 years; second, it states specified directions for achieving goals toward development. In order to be meaningful and successful, the plan must have input from all members of the community.

Work on the plan began in January 2008, when Development Municipal Initiatives was chosen as the consulting firm on the project. Subcommittees comprised of members of the public were identified in February 2008, consisting of the Land Use Committee, Infrastructure Committee, Economic Growth Committee, Quality of Life Committee and Steering Committee. The plan is the first comprehensive plan undertaken for the city since 1963.

A copy of the plan is available for review in the city clerk’s office at City Hall. Written comments and questions about the plan or the hearing should be directed to: Mt. Vernon City Hall, Attention: Jackie Sharp, City Clerk, 1100 Main St., P.O. Box 1708, Mt. Vernon, IL, 62864 or by contacting Sharp at 242-5000.

The completed Comprehensive Plan is set to be presented to the City Council during the second regular meeting of the council in July, after a recommendation has been made on the adoption of the plan by the Zoning and Planning Commission.