Manvel EDC reviews draft 'Future Manvel' strategic plan; council consideration planned Jan. 21

The Manvel Economic Development Corporation on the evening of the meeting received a presentation from Kendig Keys Collaborative on a draft Manvel 2045 strategic plan that consultants say will feed into the city’s forthcoming comprehensive plan and thoroughfare plan, with a target for City Council consideration on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The draft plan frames a vision of Manvel as “a distinctive, secure and highly livable suburban community” and sets out seven community values and eight guiding principles — safe, connected, sustainable, prudent, opportunistic, healthy, age-friendly and welcoming — intended to shape future land use, transportation and economic development decisions.

Kendig Keys Collaborative architect and urban designer Jennifer Mack, who led the presentation, told the board that the strategic plan is intended to provide direction that will flow into the comprehensive plan rather than to prescribe immediate, detailed zoning changes. “The strategic plan is what I’m presenting here tonight, but all this is gonna feed into or is feeding into the comprehensive plan and the thoroughfare plan,” Mack said.

The presentation summarized the project schedule, data and public outreach to date. Consultants reported 676 survey responses, nine focus-group sessions and a public forum held in April. Key draft findings cited in the presentation: a median age of…