Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The first of two major recommendations involving the city's revised master plan was approved by the plan commission Monday.
A broad plan that implements the first new vision for the city since 1980 will go to city council for its consideration next week.
The master plan looks at the need for a second sewage plant and changes in transportation and annexation, said city planner Pat Hudson.
The 80-page plan provides a guide and does not legally require proposals be enacted.
The transportation segment addresses the need for improved intersections as well as extending Logan Street, a proposal that's been considered for several years.
Although Monday's meeting was conducted as a final opportunity for public input, nobody except city officials spoke on the plan.
Plan member Joe Thallemer raised a slight objection, noting that the new plan seems more vague than the 1980 plan.
If it were more detailed, specific efforts would be undertaken more quickly, he said.
Hudson said the tone of the new plan was set by consultants.
Thallemer still said the plan was a good one overall, and the plan was approved by the commission unanimously.
The city attempted to re-do the city master plan in 1988, but the plan was shelved. Hudson said the current proposal picks up on many of the ideas contained in the 1988 plan.
Another phase to the overall master plan is adopting revisions to the city's zoning ordinance.
Many of those changes involve house cleaning and appropriate updates, Hudson said.
One issue that will likely be reflected in the revisions is language addressing the new legality of tattoo parlors.
That issue has not yet been proposed, Hudson said.
