Manhattan Comprehensive Plan The Focus Of Community Visioning Workshop

MANHATTAN, IL — As Manhattan officials work to develop the town's new Comprehensive Plan, they're seeking input from residents.

Described as "a roadmap for the Village to direct future growth and development over the next 20 years," officials will use the plan to create policies that direct future growth and development, officials said. The plan can also help formulate strategies that will "help effectively guide Village leaders as they make substantive and thoughtful decisions for the community," according to the Village website.

Officials have set an open house and community visioning workshop for Wednesday, June 5, at 6 p.m. at Wilson Creek Elementary School, 25440 S Gougar Rd.

"I encourage everyone to get involved," said Manhattan Community Development Director Marc Nelson. "We want to get everybody’s input and opinion."

Already in its initial phases, officials anticipate finishing the plan by spring 2025. It will outline the village's existing conditions, describe future goals and objectives for development, and include an action plan on how to achieve these goals and objectives, officials said.

Several key topics play into the plan:

• Land Use and Development
• Residential Areas
• Commercial and Industrial Areas
• Transportation
• Community Facilities and Public Infrastructure
• Natural Areas

"The Village is committed to involving residents, businesses, and workers in the process to craft a community vision for Manhattan's future," officials said on the Village website. Final approval of the plan comes from the Planning & Zoning Commission and Village Board.

Nelson nudges Manhattan residents, business owners or operators, property owners, developers, or community stakeholders to attend the June 5 event; if unable to, he encourages all to get involved in each aspect of the plan's formation, from data collection to community visioning and mapping, to the creation of community goals and objectives.

The Get Involved page of this website describes all the opportunities available to give your input, including public meetings, online surveys and questionnaires, and an interactive mapping tool. The News & Updates page will list meeting dates and times throughout the process as they are scheduled. Also, materials from meetings, and more information detailing the Comprehensive Plan process, can be found on the Documents page.