Sandpoint overhauling comp plan

SANDPOINT — The city is overhauling its comprehensive land-use plan and residents are being encouraged to take part in the process.

"A lot has changed in Sandpoint, but even more change is on the horizon," said Planning Director Will Herrington. "The challenge for Sandpoint is how to focus growth in ways that help solve, not worsen, existing issues and at the same time preserve and enhance the quality of life that area residents enjoy today."

The city's current comprehensive plan, which helps guide growth and development, dates back to 1977. The plan addresses a 20-year horizon and guides policies related to land use, transportation, natural resources, housing and other matters.

The city is commissioning a new plan and hired Studio Cascade of Spokane to consult on the project.

A round of public meetings have been called so residents can participate in the process. The first meeting is set for Thursday at Sandpoint Community Hall. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

The first meeting will be a vision workshop with group exercises to establish broad-brush goals such as what people would like Sandpoint to look like 20 years from now. A "vision statement" will also be developed.

A workshop on Thursday, May 3 will turn vision concepts into planning goals to be prioritized in a manner which makes sense for Sandpoint. A third workshop on May 31 will highlight various strategic approaches the plan might employ.

Follow-up meetings are planned for this fall and a draft comp plan is expected in January 2008.

Sandpoint has grown dramatically in recent years, which has impacted transportation, housing and civic infrastructure. Additional factors have pushed middle- and lower-income families to the city's outskirts or neighboring towns, resulting in further impacts which also effect Sandpoint, city officials say.

? Additional information about Sandpoint land-use planning can be found on the Web (www.cityofsandpoint.com).