Edgewater staff outlines comprehensive-plan update, schedules public workshops

Ryan Solstice, development services director and interim economic development director for the city of Edgewater, led a public education seminar explaining why the city is updating its comprehensive plan and how residents can participate.

"It's a policy guide to decision," Solstice said, describing the plan as a 30- to 40-year statement of community values, goals and objectives that will inform future zoning and land-development code changes. He noted Edgewater's current plan dates to 1988 and has seen piecemeal updates in 2006, 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2023, but has not had a full overhaul since adoption.

Solstice told attendees the update aims to translate community vision—including input from a Park Avenue study that drew about 1,200 participants—into policies, measurable strategies and evaluation tools so staff and the public can track whether goals are met. "If we set goals and we set standards and we're going to reevaluate things, then the public can hold us to it," he said.

The city will host kickoff presentations on Thursday, Feb. 6 (6:00-7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 8 (10:00-11:30 a.m.), followed by community workshops on Thursday, Feb. 27 (6-8 p.m.) and Saturday, March 1 (10 a.m.-12 p.m.). Solstice said workshop activities will include visioning exercises and design images to help residents picture different district types and streetscapes. Materials and notices will be posted on the city website.