HWC Engineering presents comprehensive-plan refresh to Richmond advisory board

HWC Engineering presented a draft refresh of Richmond City’s comprehensive plan at the Richmond advisory board meeting on Sept. 24, asking commissioners to review the 78-page document and return any edits before staff prepares an adoption draft for the plan commission and common council.

The presentation, led by Rachel Christiansen and Jennifer Barclay of HWC Engineering, summarized the update process, noted accomplishments since the city’s 2019 plan, and identified new critical-path strategies and changes to the future land use map. "My name is Rachel Christiansen," Christiansen said, and she provided HWC’s business address. Jennifer Barclay reviewed state requirements and the draft’s policy guidance: "It does have legal requirements. 3 things in Indiana code: objectives about future developments, policies for land use, and policy for development of public ways, public land, and public utilities," she said. Barclay also cautioned that "Use is not the same as zoning. ... This is a guide to help in that decision making."

Why it matters: the comprehensive plan guides rezoning and capital planning…