The City Council on Monday took steps to advance the creation of a committee that will study issues relating the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The plan is part of the Bartlesville NEXT Strategic Plan, which was under development most of 2022 and was finalized earlier this year. Several projects are outlined in the strategic plan, including a new comprehensive plan for the City. The most recent existing comprehensive plan was compiled in the 1990s.
“A comprehensive plan is a long-range blueprint for the physical, social and economic development of a community,” said Community Development Director Larry Curtis. “It provides a framework for decision making by identifying community goals and objectives, analyzing existing conditions, and outlining strategies and policies for achieving those goals. It outlines a vision for the future of the city and provides a roadmap for achieving that vision.”
Curtis said the comprehensive plan will be developed with input from community members and stakeholders. The plan will cover a wide range of topics, including economic development, land use and zoning, transportation, public safety and quality of life.
In moving forward with the plan, the City Planning Commission proposed the establishment of a five-member committee to facilitate more comprehensive discussions and recommendations pertaining to urban development, zoning regulations, infrastructure planning and other related projects. On Monday, the council voted to appoint Billie Roane of Ward 4 and Trevor Dorsey of Ward 5 to the committee, as well as Bartlesville resident Cody Meade.
The objectives of the committee are:
- To review and analyze current zoning regulations, urban development plans, and infrastructure projects to identify areas for improvement and make suggestions for updates.
- To participate in the selection of a consultant or consulting firm with expertise in urban planning and development to provide valuable insights and guidance to the committee.
- To engage citizens in the planning process, ensuring their concerns and ideas are taken into account during the decision-making and consultant selection process.
- To collaborate with relevant city departments, stakeholders, and the selected consultant to develop comprehensive and innovative solutions for city planning challenges.
- To guide and support the Planning Commission staff in the implementation of the committee’s recommendations and the execution of approved projects.
- To present periodic progress reports and updates to the Planning Commission and the City Council, ensuring transparency and accountability in the committee’s activities.
The City will issue a Request for Proposals soon in hopes of contracting with a consultant to lead and development the plan. It is anticipated the plan will take approximately several months to complete.