Committee reviews comprehensive‑plan schedule and asks staff for clearer change summaries

Staff for Des Moines City presented a proposed schedule to break the comprehensive‑plan update into digestible sections for the full council and the committee, with the goal of having the plan adopted by July of the same year.

Rebecca, a staff member, said she grouped related plan elements into paired work sessions for the council and proposed sending materials a month in advance so members have time to read the large document. She recommended bringing the transportation element separately because it lags other elements while its contract work finishes.

Mayor Buxton asked staff to highlight additions and amendments in an easy‑to‑scan format, such as color coding or a short bulleted list indicating "what was added" and "what was amended," and to provide short explanatory notes identifying changes that are likely to draw public reaction. Rebecca said she would provide redline and clean copies along with a short summary of major changes.

Committee members also asked staff to clarify which changes are required by outside entities. Rebecca said many proposed changes stem from state legislation and King County planning policies; Deputy Mayor Steinmetz requested that staff explicitly call out "what's required from who" in future materials.

Staff proposed a timeline of paired council work sessions and a target adoption in July, with a July 1 slot reserved to revisit elements that require additional council review. No formal vote was taken; the committee provided feedback for staff to revise presentation materials and the public outreach schedule.