Andrew Fangman, senior planner, presented the draft Muscatine comprehensive plan at the Dec. 9 council in‑depth meeting, describing it as a year‑and‑a‑half collaborative effort with RDG, city staff, a steering committee and public input. "The public, staff, our consultant have been working on this for almost a year and a half," Fangman said, noting the draft runs about 95 pages and that the project included an interactive map that drew "over 1,100 unique visitors."

Fangman said the plan performs three primary functions: it provides the legal foundation for land‑use regulations, articulates a community vision informed by residents, and establishes policy foundations and project priorities to reach that vision. The plan is organized around five chapters — land use, mobility/transportation, housing and neighborhoods, parks and trails, and public facilities — and includes a future land‑use map intended to guide zoning decisions.

On housing, Fangman cited consultant findings that Muscatine would need roughly 48 units per year to maintain current population levels but set a target of 200 units per year to spur growth. The transportation chapter outlines projects over a 15–20 year horizon; Fangman contrasted that long‑range view with the city's five‑year capital improvement plan and said the comprehensive plan is intended to improve competitiveness for grant funding.

Council members asked questions about trail connectivity (including a potential connection to Wilton), how targeted corridors such as downtown and the riverfront will be handled, and how the plan will be tied to the CIP and council goals. Several council members requested a simple attendance/count summary for public engagement events; Fangman said staff could include unique attendee totals in the next staff report.

When the mayor asked whether there was consensus to proceed with the draft toward formal adoption at the next council meeting, multiple council members responded affirmatively and staff indicated they would bring the draft forward as an action item for adoption procedures.