50 people discussed the newest draft of the city’s Comprehensive Master Plan at the latest public workshop on Oct. 24 in Noblesville East Middle School’s cafeteria, 300 N. 17th St. Noblesville Planning Director Christy Langley said the workshop included a review of the draft goals and objectives of the upcoming comprehensive plan update. The city held public workshops earlier this year, and analysis of the feedback from those meetings was drafted to update the plan.
“There were just under 50 at the previous public meeting,” she said. “There were also a lot of newer faces than at the previous meeting so it was a good sign it wasn’t the same 20 to 30 people.”
This meeting was different than the previous open houses as stations were setup with committee members to discuss various focal points of the master plan. Langley said the presentation will be added to the PLANoblesville Website (www.planoblesville.org) in the next week so those who were unable to attend can see the update.
“We had great positive feedback,” she said. “Unless something drastic happens in terms of economic impact, what is on the boards is going to be on the plan. It’s the meat and potatoes, now we have to add the sides and desert.”
Work that still needs to be done includes adding the narrative to the comprehensive master plan.
“Why we came to goals – some of the specific action items and what resources do we plan to employ for those actions?,” Langley said.
The next draft of the plan will be released in mid to late November. Langley said a public hearing will be conducted at a plan commission meeting in December and the final draft should be introduced to the Noblesville Common Council in January.
“It’s exciting to have a lot of work to do,” she said. “In order to sustain momentum we can never stop. There are challenges and opportunities. There are so many more opportunities than challenges. That’s what gives me the energy to say, ‘All right, let’s get.’”
Titled “PLANoblesville,” this initiative will outline a vision and strategic framework for future development, redevelopment and community building projects. Langley said a community’s comprehensive plan sets public policy in terms of transportation, utilities, land use, recreation and housing over short and long-term periods. The previous plan was prepared in 1995 and updated by the city in 2003. Given all of the opportunities and changes that have occurred in Noblesville in the past 10 years, a major update is needed.
For more information, visit www.planoblesville.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 776-6325.