City hires consultants to update general plan and zoning; advisory committee and outreach planned

Hooper City on June 4 received a kickoff presentation from consultants overseeing a general plan update and zoning-code revision. Brian Carver, lead planner for JUB, said the scope includes verifying compliance with state moderate-income housing requirements, drafting a future‑land‑use map, revising zoning language, and creating design standards and development options for a growing downtown.

Jenny Gooff of the consultants’ public involvement team said the effort will prioritize community representation: the advisory committee should include long‑time and newer residents, renters, agriculture and conservation interests, business developers and educators. She asked council members to nominate about 10–12 people from the suggested list and said outreach will use mailers, the city website, open houses and presence at community events such as Tomato Days.

Carver outlined a schedule: form the advisory committee by the end of the month, hold the first advisory meeting in early–mid July and publish an online public survey at the same time. A market analysis by the subconsultant is due by the end of summer to inform the recommended land‑use map and design standards, with draft ordinances and public hearings expected in fall and final action aimed for year end.

The consultants said their downtown redevelopment subconsultant will supply an economic-impact analysis to show potential costs and revenues associated with recommended land‑use and design changes. Council members discussed committee composition, noticing requirements for meetings, and the value of staff and planning‑commission participation on the advisory body.

“Public engagement needs to meet residents where they are,” Jenny Gooff said, describing mailers, social media and in‑person events as planned outreach tactics. Council members agreed to begin nominating potential advisory‑committee members and to involve the planning commission where appropriate.