Dear Marseilles Residents,
This plan lays out a vision of what the City of Marseilles sees for the future within the City limits and the 1‐1/2 mile extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for the next 15 – 25 years.
The development of this comprehensive plan is the first step of the planning process. The key to this plan is implementation of the plan by the City, staff, residents, and investors in the community. The ability to implement the plan and move the City forward will make the plan process and results a success.
The plan is for the City Council, planning commission, staff, residents and private sector to use in making decisions on future development in the City and the 1‐1/2 mile ETJ. The comprehensive plan is intended to guide the local decision makers on land use issues and policies. It should provide guidance on decisions concerning community facility expansion, transportation, parks and recreation, economic development, residential development, or redevelopment. The plan should be used in conjunction with the City's zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance and capital improvement plan when making land use decisions. Though it does not hold the adopted legality to enforce land and building restrictions, it is a strong piece of the puzzle for the city to utilize in fulfilling its vision.
The planning commission and City Council members should always have a copy available to consult during official meetings. Input was taken at several joint public meetings of the residents, planning commission, and City Council. The process for the comprehensive plan update was presented and a strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted.
A Community Survey was sent out to receive feedback about such topics as community services, recreation services, transportation infrastructure, housing, economic development, and growth issues. Surveys were made available at City Hall for those residents that did not receive it and who wanted to complete one.
Key person interviews were held to receive additional input on the community and the comprehensive plan. These were mainly technical in nature to get a better background on the community from local and regional experts and included receiving perspectives from residents, business owners and managers.
A third public meeting was held to present and discuss the community survey results, conduct a visual preference survey (VPS) and have a presentation and discuss various design ideas with the landscape architect from Bergfeld Studios. A fourth public meeting was held to present the results of the VPS and a final draft of the plan. The final draft was made available at City hall as well as online.
The official public hearing was held, and the City of Marseilles Comprehensive Plan 2014 was adopted by the City Council. To comply with the grant requirements the updated Marseilles Comprehensive Plan also addresses HUD sustainability. The principles: 1) provide more transportation choices, 2) promote equitable, affordable housing, 3) enhance economic competitiveness, 4) support existing communities and 5) coordinate policies and leverage investment.
One of the principal components of the comprehensive plan is the development of goals and objectives for the community. A goal is a broad overarching statement explaining the community’s vision and desire. Goals are long term and provide direction. An objective is a more specific purpose to be attained and is a means to reach the goal. The goals and objectives are to be used in guiding decisions for future growth, development and land use in the City and planning jurisdiction.
Goals, objectives, and specific actions have been developed for the following categories for developing the community.
Infrastructure: 11 goals set, and City has accomplished 6.
Transportation: 20 goals set, and City has accomplished 9.
Parks and Recreation: 12 goals set, and City has accomplished 8.
Industrial Development: 9 goals set, and City has accomplished 6.
Commercial Development: 17 goals set, and City has accomplished 13.
Residential Development: 11 goals set, and City has accomplished 6.
Natural Hazards Preparedness:
14 goals set, and City has accomplished 13.
Economic Development/Tourism: 13 goals set, and City has accomplished 12.
The planning commission and the City has recently gone through and updated the plan. The City and Planning Commission held many public meetings to receive input from residents and businesses. Residents are always welcome to come to the Planning Commission meetings which are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month. This group of dedicated residents work hard and have a good vision for the City's future.
As a City we must follow our comprehensive plan. I could just imagine the chaos if all 5 council members just pursued and focused on their own thoughts. The Comprehensive Plan is also required before the City can apply for or receive federal and state grants. Without being able to show our goals and objectives we wouldn’t be eligible. As a bible is to a minister the comprehensive plan is the mayor’s bible and is always within reach when grants, projects, and other questions come before the Mayor’s Office.
Mayor Jim Hollenbeck
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