Council told comprehensive‑plan rollout set for July 24; residents urge repurposing of Edna Elementary

Councilman Washington told the Common Council on July 15 that the Planning Commission will hold a meeting July 24 to review rollout of the city’s draft comprehensive plan and that consultants working on the plan will appear before the Planning and Development Committee in August to present draft materials. Washington said the administration and consultants have been mapping the city and the plan remains a draft; he said the council may consider voting on the plan as early as September. He urged public participation in the July 24 Planning Commission meeting and said the administration will publish information on the rollout. During the meeting’s public‑comment period, Penelope Love, identifying herself as an Edna Manor resident, said she represented a large cohort of long‑term residents and requested that the council include in the comprehensive plan the repurposing of Edna Elementary School. Love asked the council and the county to consider demolition of Edna Elementary and building new homes on the site intended for retirees, arguing the change would improve the neighborhood’s appearance, eliminate what she called a blighted structure, increase revenue for the city and reduce recurring maintenance costs for the property. She also said the group sought financial participation from Lake County commissioners and referenced prior years’ discussions of discretionary county funds for demolition. Council members did not take immediate action on Love’s request during the meeting; her remarks were entered during the public‑comment period and will be available for planning staff and elected officials to consider as they review the comprehensive plan draft and upcoming public outreach. Details about funding, timelines or a formal proposal for demolition and redevelopment were not provided in the meeting record; Love’s statement asked that the city include the concept in the comprehensive plan and coordinate funding discussions with Lake County.