Council seeks reconstituted Comprehensive Plan Review Advisory Commission, proposes wider applicant screening

Athens City Council's planning committee on Monday moved to reconstitute the Comprehensive Plan Review Advisory Commission created by ordinance in February 2006 and to clarify roles, charters and a regular review cadence.

Mayor Patterson and committee members said the comprehensive plan should be a regularly updated “people’s document” and recommended reconstituting the commission at least every five years. Council member Micah McCarrie proposed a short applicant questionnaire — name, residence, relevant experience, and three areas where the applicant believes the city has made significant progress and three where it has not — as a way to widen outreach and screen candidates objectively.

Why it matters: the comprehensive plan guides long‑range land use, infrastructure and capital investments; clarifying roles for the mayor, council, planner and commissions and codifying review intervals aims to reduce duplication and ensure regular oversight.

Key points from the discussion

• Composition and process: The 2006 ordinance specifies a seven‑member commission with two neighborhood representatives, one business representative, one person from Ohio University with relevant expertise and three qualified electors; ex‑officio members include the mayor (or designee), a planning & development committee member, the city planner and the county planner.

• Screening and outreach: McCarrie said a short public questionnaire and broad promotion through city channels would cast a wider net and help reveal applicants’ familiarity with the plan and priorities. Committee members suggested clarifying geographic representation (West Side, Far East Side, etc.) and ensuring the planner coordinates the process.

• Codification: Members recommended codifying a five‑year review cycle and clarifying respective roles for policy (council), execution (mayor), coordination (city planner) and public feedback (commissions) to avoid duplication.

Next steps

Committee members asked staff to work with the planner on outreach and to craft any necessary ordinance updates to codify responsibilities and review timing. Council will consider candidates for appointment once the screening and coordination process is in place.

Ending

Council described the reconstitution as a priority to keep the comprehensive plan current and to ensure that appointments reflect a broad cross‑section of neighborhood, business and university perspectives.