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Council adopts New Prague 2045 comprehensive plan; first readings held on mayoral term and sidewalks ordinance
Summary
Council adopted the New Prague 2045 comprehensive plan and accepted related appendices. The council held first readings on a Charter change to extend the mayoral term to four years and an ordinance to require sidewalks on both sides of new residential streets, advancing both local planning priorities.
The New Prague City Council adopted the New Prague 2045 comprehensive plan after a presentation by MSA planner Emily Harold and a staff review of recent agency comments.
Emily said the plan—years in development with community engagement—aims to balance New Prague's small‑town character with anticipated growth. The plan adds new future‑land‑use categories such as "Downtown Flex" and "Business Flex" to allow a mix of commercial, public and residential uses and recommends more medium‑ and higher‑density residential land along commercial corridors to support housing diversity.
The council also held a public hearing and first reading of a proposed Charter change (Ordinance 352) that would change the mayoral term from two to four years; the Charter Commission forwarded the question and staff noted that a unanimous council vote at this stage would allow council adoption, otherwise the question returns to the Charter Commission and possibly a ballot. Baker Tilly consultant Mikaela Hewitt clarified that when multiple taxing entities participate in an abatement the statutory maximum term is 15 years; for single or two‑party participation terms can go to 20 years with written denials from other parties.
Planning staff presented Ordinance 353, an update to require sidewalks on both sides of new residential streets for new development, with two exceptions: cul‑de‑sacs under 300 feet may have sidewalk on one side and very low‑density single‑family areas (fewer than three units per acre) may have one‑side sidewalks. The council approved the first reading of both ordinances; final action on the mayoral term will occur at a subsequent meeting, and the sidewalk ordinance will return for a second reading.
Why it matters: the comprehensive plan and sidewalk ordinance together set the city's long‑range land‑use, transportation and walkability policies. The council and staff said the changes will guide rezoning and subdivision decisions and will be used to negotiate development review standards and infrastructure expectations going forward.
