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Yorktown board forms steering committee to update comprehensive plan and to pursue consultant help
Summary
Planning staff recommended updating — not rewriting — the town's comprehensive plan; the board accepted formation of a steering committee, discussed public outreach, and authorized staff to pursue grant funding and a consultant to expedite work.
Town planning staff reported that a steering committee has reviewed the existing comprehensive plan and recommends an "update" rather than a full rewrite to modernize sections and drop obsolete policies. The staff presenter (Speaker 9) said committee members examined existing chapters, identified areas needing change and recommended involving a consultant to bring outside expertise and speed up writing and public engagement.
The committee — which includes planning-board members, the town engineer and planning staff — will serve as a steering group to guide the effort and return recommendations on timing and public outreach. Speaker 9 said the group plans to identify chapters that should be revised, retained or removed and to return early, preliminary recommendations to the board.
Board members raised questions about residency requirements for committee participants. The chair said he would request a waiver for John Tejeter (28-plus years of service in the planning department) to participate in the steering committee in a volunteer capacity rather than as a paid consultant; the board agreed to consider the waiver.
Members also discussed whether committee meetings should be open to the public. Staff and committee representatives said some working sessions may be internal, with broader public outreach planned at milestones; the board emphasized transparency and asked for a timetable and early preliminary recommendations. Staff noted potential grant funding (opening in May) that could offset consultant costs.
Next steps: staff will refine a scope, develop a consultant solicitation if warranted and report back with an early list of sections recommended for update and a proposed schedule for public outreach.
