Consultant presents comprehensive plan update; council urges practical, implementable goals

Planner Kyle May (presenting on behalf of the consulting team) gave a detailed update on the village’s comprehensive plan process, summarizing engagement to date, a published conditions-and-trends assessment and the advisory committee’s feedback. May emphasized a set of organizing "pillars" — including smart growth, land stewardship, economic development, parks and amenities — and proposed the use of progress indicators (KPIs) to measure whether the plan’s goals are being achieved.

"We're at that kinda 6th inning mark of our game," May said, urging the council and public to help refine priorities and test draft recommendations at upcoming meetings. He said the team plans additional open-house-style public meetings and digital engagement before presenting a draft plan in early spring and pursuing adoption later this year.

Councilors raised practical questions about the plan's implementability. One council member cautioned that some priorities — notably agricultural land preservation — could set expectations the village cannot unilaterally meet because property law and private ownership limit direct control. May acknowledged those limits and said the plan will clearly identify where the village has influence versus where it should advocate regionally, and will recommend realistic implementation tools where possible.

The consultant also urged the village to use the plan to strengthen its position in regional conversations about water/sewer, schools, and economic-development decisions, and to update the plan now to respond to recent rapid growth. Staff confirmed a public open house on January 28 from 5–7 p.m. to continue engagement. Council did not vote on the plan draft; the presentation closed with direction to continue the public process and return with a draft for formal review.