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Abstract

The comprehensive plan is a vital tool in any city’s toolbox. It serves first and foremost as the general guide for a city’s development. Consisting of multiple parts, history, demographics, land use planning, transportation planning, and goals and objectives, it is the plan that all other plans should relate back to. Any growth and development decisions should be reviewed through the lens of the comprehensive plan. Proper planning has many benefits, especially in small, developing communities. These benefits include promoting sustainability, fostering a sense of community, enhancing quality of life, promoting economic development and managing new growth and infill. However, the development of the comprehensive plan is a lengthy and involved process that should end with a document that does more than sits on a shelf. This document should be the guide for the municipality, not only strategic decisions, but everyday decisions as the municipal staff works towards developing a thriving city. This article will examine the process of developing a comprehensive plan and its effective use of the plan after adoption.

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