Riley County schedules public hearings on Comprehensive Plan 2040; draft updated

Amanda Webb updated the commission on the Riley County Comprehensive Plan 2040 draft at the Dec. 1 meeting, saying consultants at Stantec have provided an updated draft with layout and font changes and that an appendix documenting community engagement remains to be completed. "We got an updated draft last Monday onto the website late in the afternoon," Webb said, and asked commissioners to review the document and submit any edits.

She said the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board will hold a public hearing that evening at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, the Riley County Planning Board has a public hearing next Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the commission room, and the county commission is scheduled to consider adoption Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. Webb asked commissioners and the public to submit comments before those hearings so Stantec can incorporate changes into the draft.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan sets long‑range land‑use goals and a future land‑use map that will guide growth around the lake and other expansion areas. Webb said the updated draft more closely mirrors the Envision 2025 map while enlarging type and making editorial corrections.

Next steps: Webb will attend the planning‑board hearings, return to the commission with any recommended changes and the commission will consider adoption on Dec. 18.