Planning commission reviews draft chapters, stresses realistic implementation and staffing needs

The Colona Planning Commission reviewed updated comprehensive-plan chapters, accompanying maps and a set of implementation strategies at its meeting, with consultants asking commissioners to check assigned roles and timeframes before the document goes to public hearing.

Planner/consultant Ricky Newcomb told the commission the packet now contains 12 chapters and that two chapters — communications and implementation tools — were newly highlighted for feedback. He said most maps have been stable and that staff comments (including from Ryan in public works) have been incorporated. "We welcome additional feedback about these chapters as well," Ricky said, asking commissioners to forward edits promptly.

Commissioners spent most of the discussion probing how the plan’s short-term (0–3 years), medium (3–6 years) and long-term (6+ years) items would be staffed and funded. The implementation matrix assigns initiators, overseers and assisting departments for tasks such as developing a park and recreation master plan (city council initiates, parks committee oversees, public works assists). Several commissioners said those assignments are sensible in principle but warned the city currently lacks capacity to carry them out.

"We don’t have the staff or the economic director to do this work," one commissioner said, arguing that volunteer committees alone are insufficient. Commissioners recommended moving some items from the short- to the medium-term, identifying which projects can be accomplished by existing staff and which require hiring a city administrator or contracting outside help.

Panel members discussed training options for planning commissioners and noted resources from the Municipal League and the American Planning Association. The consultant flagged legal considerations including ex parte conversations and recommended training that covers roles and responsibilities.

The commission also discussed tangible project areas in the draft, including plans to prioritize development-ready properties and to prepare for the Illinois 84 reconstruction that will affect commercial corridors. Commissioners urged early outreach to businesses and alignment with the state project schedule so the city can position properties for development.

The planner said final edits should be submitted quickly to accommodate public-notice deadlines. The commission did not vote on the plan itself at the meeting; staff said the next steps are to collect edits, post a public hearing notice and hold a hearing before making a recommendation to council.

The commission asked staff to produce a clearer list of which body is responsible for each action, to indicate needed funding sources, and to suggest items that could reasonably be deferred to preserve staff bandwidth. Once edits are incorporated, the planning commission expects to forward a recommendation to the city council for final adoption.