City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2011 12 13

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PAGE TWO SUBJECT: UPDATE /DISCUSSION - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012 REVIEW DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2011 roadway efficiency, property access, and safety features for slower speed environments. c. The economy and realities of retail growth — The downturn in the economy since 2008 and the realities of regional retail competition, access /visibility of retail sites, and new retailing practices require more specific guidance than the current Comprehensive Plan provides. Neighborhood issues and concerns — The current Comprehensive Plan is silent on neighborhood issues and concerns. The City's residential housing stock is aging and rehabilitation issues within residential areas are beginning to require more coherent neighborhood plans and strategies for issues such as: housing rehabilitation, cut - through traffic, safe routes to school, aging infrastructure, and monitoring and maintenance of community services. 2) Better clarify the Community's Vision in terms of community character and physical design to provide staff with a tool to review redevelopment requests — The City of Louisville is a diverse community with a number of unique character areas. Other than Downtown and Old Town, the current Comprehensive Plan does not identify, differentiate, or celebrate, these unique character areas as they relate to the Community Vision. 3) Better align principles and policies to support the Community Vision — There are many inconsistencies between the Community Vision and the established Principles and Policies for various sections of the Comprehensive Plan. Updating the Comprehensive Plan will help ensure that all sections are in alignment and support the Community's Vision. ANTICIPATED WORK EFFORT Updating the Comprehensive Plan requires significant effort from staff, the Planning Commission, and City Council. Staff anticipates the 2012 Comprehensive Plan Update will be more time consuming than the 2009 effort. The 2012 Budget includes $150,000 for professional consulting services to support this effort. Using professional consulting services would provide staff the resources necessary to complete the update in the required timeframe and continue to manage their regular workload. An alternative approach would be to hire contract employees to assist in executing the day -to- day activities of the Division so that Planning Staff can conduct the 2012 update in -house with only targeted professional specialty support services. There are efficiencies gained with the in- house production. 64