The Manhattan City commission adopted the Manhattan Urban Area Comprehensive Plan (MUACP) with a unanimous vote on Tuesday night in city hall.
The MUACP lays out several areas for development of future housing, and other infrastructure strategies, to handle the projected growth of the city. One of the areas which is deemed as a “green zone” for development is the nearby Blue Township development. Other topics covered by the MUACP included a need for more affordable housing for the workforce, more downtown revitalization, and redevelopment of the central core district. The plan calls for housing near campus to be raised in density, but other portions of the city to be downsized from multifamily to single family use.
There were several community members who came forward to either support, or deride the planning process. John Pence came explained his belief that the map showing the new planned zoning changes was insufficient in showing the detail needed by land owners, and the rezoning of land needed to be a more transparent process. City staff clarified that the MUACP was just a forecasting tool, and not an actual rezoning of the city.
Gary Stith came forward to explain the plan reflected a positive vision for growth in the community, and recommended the city continue to reach out to other governmental entities to ensure growth was not stifled by bad planning.
Loren J. Pepperd related his experience as a real estate professional, and the burdensome process to bring development to the city. Pepperd cautioned the commission for the need to adequately vet contractors who work for the city in the future. Mayor Wynn Butler agreed, and pointed out some of the changing policies being implemented to weed out unethical contract developers from the city’s rosters.
The commission heard a proposal to bring cereal malt beverages to adult games at the Twin Oaks Complex in Anneberg Park. After weighing some of the pros and cons the commission decided to table the proposal as it needed more information on how the complex would be policed, and a plan for a “test run” for the new policy.
Finally, the commission voted unanimously to have a tree house constructed on Jorgenson Park land to be taken down by the individuals who initially constructed it on public land.
