Raytown planners review draft goals and strategies for comprehensive plan

Consultants for the city of Raytown presented draft goals and strategies for a comprehensive plan at a Planning Commission meeting, emphasizing a high-level framework and next steps toward a full plan.

Josh Bloom of the Lakota Group told the commission the materials are not yet a final draft comprehensive plan but a framework of goals and strategies that will guide the plan-writing process. "We are not quite at the draft comprehensive plan yet," Bloom said, adding that the consultants will develop the full draft in the coming weeks and aim to deliver the draft by April and bring the plan to the commission for adoption in early summer, likely June.

Why it matters: The document sets broad policy directions that will steer city zoning, capital planning and public investments for the next 20 years. Bloom said the framework emerged from two community workshops, many focus groups and “hundreds of surveys,” including outreach to Raytown High School students.

What the framework covers: The consultants organized the plan around seven pillars—economic development; housing and neighborhoods; mobility; land use; infrastructure; parks, recreation and quality of life; and operational excellence—each with goals and strategies. Bloom described the plan as intentionally high-level and said detailed tactics and an implementation plan will follow once the draft is written.

Questions from commissioners focused on practicality and funding. Commissioners asked whether the plan's phrasing such as "consider" or "explore" reflected available revenue. Bloom said the plan will point the city to likely funding sources and that some recommendations may be tempered in the final document. One commissioner suggested that some items will require grant funding and public education because grants often carry use restrictions.

On housing, Bloom highlighted strategies to preserve Raytown's mid-century housing character and to support repair, rehabilitation and owner-occupancy. He said tools under consideration include technical assistance and incentives; as an example, consultants discussed a possible "homesteader exemption" on property taxes to encourage owner occupancy.

Ahead: The consultants will refine language based on tonight's feedback, write the draft plan by April, and return to present the draft in an open meeting during the adoption phase. The commission also asked the consultants to call out specific infill configurations (long narrow lots, duplex opportunities) in the goals and strategies.

Procedural business: The commission completed officer elections during the meeting and approved minutes from Feb. 6, 2025, by voice vote. The meeting adjourned with a stated next meeting on April 3.

The commission is expected to review the written draft and provide further refinements before a public adoption hearing in early summer.