Bryans New Comprehensive Plan

[dazed2010]

Bryan council approves strategy for city's future

http://www.theeagle.com/stories/011007/local_20070110004.php

Bryan City Council members Tuesday adopted a plan they say will change the appearance of the community and reflect the desires of residents.

Adoption of the 115-page comprehensive plan was unanimously approved following a public hearing during the council's evening meeting. Council members Jason Bienski and Ben Hardeman did not attend.

Consultants with College Station-based IPS Group spent 15 months gathering feedback from focus groups and city staff before compiling the plan, which includes recommendations in land use, transportation, economic development and neighborhood maintenance.

"The comprehensive plan is a chance to document the strategic view of the citizens, what their wants and needs are," said Kelly Templin, a principal with IPS Group. "It's a chance to educate the public on what you're doing and find out what they want you to do."

Although cities aren't required to follow the comprehensive plan "to the very letter," it serves as a guideline and to-do list when making decisions about future projects, Templin said.

Bryan's downtown master plan is an example of an action that came from a comprehensive plan, Templin said. The downtown area has been redeveloped and is undergoing streetscape projects and beautification efforts as a result of the master plan adopted in 2001.

Comprehensive planning has identified as priorities implementing central business corridor standards and redeveloping South College Avenue.

Just one resident spoke during the public hearing Tuesday evening. Sharon Anderson, a member of the advisory committee that studied the plan, said she was concerned about maintaining single-family neighborhoods.

"They are the backbone of our community," she said.

Neighborhood redevelopment is one of the top priorities identified by the focus groups that studied the comp plan, Templin said. Other priorities included community appearance and proactive code enforcement, according to the plan.

"Community appearance was a huge issue," Templin said. "It was brought up at every focus group we held. The public recognized that visitors make judgments based on what they see when they travel through Bryan."

The comprehensive plan was last updated in 1999. Bryan Planning Manager Lindsey Guindi, who oversaw the rewrite, has said it will be reviewed annually to ensure the items identified for action are being monitored.

Templin said the plan isn't useful unless it's put into motion.

"I'm aware of a number of award-winning plans that weren't implemented," he said. "One has to debate how effective those plans actually were."

[Double L]

Definently something highly needed for Bryan. That's why it was so high on the residents priorities.