MEMORANDUM
From:
Norbert S. Klopsch, City Manager
Date:
November 16, 2022
RE:
Continued use of the 2004 Comprehensive Plan

Since 1989, land use and development policy in the city of Oakwood has been guided by two comprehensive planning efforts, as follows:

  • The 1989 Comprehensive Plan, a document developed in consultation with national planning and development experts which served the community for 15 years. Among other things, direct results from that document included a subarea plan to guide the redevelopment of the NCR Sugar Camp property; the development of design guidelines for the Far Hills Avenue business district; and the adoption of the current Zoning Code.
  • The 2004 Comprehensive Plan, a document that updated the 1989 plan. It was similarly developed in consultation with national experts, as well as an extensive process to solicit community input and feedback. It has guided the application of, and updates to, the city's Zoning and Subdivision Codes for nearly 18 years.

In 2022, city staff completed a thorough review of the 2004 Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of that review was to determine whether the document continues to represent sound planning and policy guidance for the city, or whether it might be time to update the document again. Importantly, staff's review included a detailed look at achievements made towards the Goals & Objectives set forth in the 2004 Comprehensive Plan as well as the current state of Oakwood, which is land-locked and almost fully developed.

The results of staff's review were presented to the Oakwood Planning Commission at its meeting on October 5, 2022. Thereafter, the Planning Commission adopted two motions:

  1. A motion to acknowledge and accept staff's report of achievements made pursuant to the 2004 Comprehensive Plan; and
  2. A motion to recognize the 2004 Comprehensive Plan as a document of continuing validity as the city's official policy guide for physical development addressing the use of land, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, the protection of community character, and the provision of parks, schools, and other public facilities; and further, to recommend that Council ratify the same prospectively.

Upon the Planning Commission's recommendation, the results of staff's review were subsequently presented to City Council at its meeting on November 7, 2022. At the conclusion of that presentation, Council adopted Resolution No. 1901, a copy of which is attached to this Memorandum, to take three key actions: