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Planning staff outlines comprehensive plan update; subcommittees to deliver draft goals next month
Summary
Riley County planning staff updated commissioners on the county comprehensive plan revision, reporting progress from subcommittees on land use, economic development, health, housing, infrastructure and parks and recreation and asking for draft goals to be completed by next month for public release.
Planning staff told the Riley County Board of Commissioners on April 17 that the county's comprehensive plan update is progressing and that several topic subcommittees expect to deliver draft goals to the consultant and staff by next month.
Amanda , the county’s lead planning director, said the consultant Stantec has asked for subcommittee draft goals so the consultant can incorporate objectives and actions. "We need to add our objectives and actions to it," she said during the presentation.
Staff reviewed the work of each subcommittee. The agricultural/land‑use group discussed balancing agricultural preservation and rural character against development, the designated growth areas around cities and the lake, and concerns about unmanaged cedar encroachment and fire risk on prime farm soils. The economic development subcommittee is drafting a new chapter for the plan to address county‑wide economic aims beyond development concentrated near Manhattan. The health subcommittee has proposed incorporating a health‑in‑all‑policies approach, addressing physical and mental health, mobile clinics and access to parks and trails. The housing group discussed workforce and affordable housing, accessory dwelling units and land capacity. The infrastructure team is compiling a broad list that goes beyond roads to water, sewer, broadband, public facilities and multi‑modal transportation. Parks and recreation has drafted goals and wants a separate treatment for multi‑owner county parks.
Amanda said the existing Vision 2025 goals will be reviewed and updated; many Vision 2025 items have been completed or are no longer feasible since that plan was adopted in February 2009. Staff intends to release draft goals publicly so residents and stakeholders can comment, then iterate toward a full public draft that will include objectives and specific actions.
Amanda asked commissioners to identify any areas they want staff to present in more depth; she said detailed notes and stakeholder summaries are available and that the process will remain transparent.
Timeline and next steps: staff and subcommittees will target completion of draft goals by next month; public review and planning‑board review will follow before additional drafts are presented to the commission.
Why it matters: the comprehensive plan will guide county land‑use decisions, infrastructure investment and priorities for growth areas over the next decade.
