Planning director outlines next steps for Raleigh County comprehensive plan update; community workshop set for Aug. 5

Amanda Webb, Riley County planning director, briefed the commission on progress updating the county—s comprehensive plan at the June 23 meeting, saying subcommittees are finalizing draft goals and that staff will publish those goals for public review once they are complete.

Webb said the agricultural land-use and housing subcommittees are meeting this week and next to review materials prepared by the county's consultant, Stantec. She described economic development as a new chapter for the county plan and said she hopes to bring draft goals for that chapter to commissioners within weeks so they may review the content earlier than other chapters.

Webb also reported that county staff and Stantec had completed interviews with small cities in the county and were following up with stakeholders including Fort Riley and Kansas State University. She said staff had reached out to local cities and had confirmed those communities generally supported keeping their current designated growth areas unchanged in the county plan.

The planning director announced a second community workshop on Aug. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Leonardville SYKES venue; she said a third workshop will be scheduled later in the fall. Webb asked commissioners to help distribute notice and said the county website and a mailing list of roughly 350 contacts would be used to publicize the workshop and other input opportunities.

Webb said the county will publish draft goals for public comment when subcommittees finish their review. She asked for commissioner feedback on timing and said Stantec will continue stakeholder interviews and draft sections over the next several months.

No formal action was required; commissioners thanked staff for the update and expected further status reports as draft language is released.