By Sara StrongTonight’s Comprehensive Plan meeting will result in a rough draft for what is supposed to guide the city of Luverne through the next 10 years.The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Luverne Elementary School Commons.People who haven’t attended previous meetings won’t have difficulty stepping in at this point. Anyone can get involved because meetings are designed to be an open exchange of ideas.The previous two meetings have familiarized people with the city and its areas of attraction and areas that need attention.The meeting tonight will focus more clearly on specific areas — south Highway 75, the future hospital and clinic on the north edge of Luverne and the Highway 75 corridor through town.The area on Kniss Avenue or Highway 75 known as Fledgling Field will likely be a hot topic at the meeting. Supporters of keeping it residential have shown up at previous meetings, but that could change this time.Luverne resident Tom Serie has advocated changing the zoning of Fledgling Field for years. It was purchased from the school district with the intent to make it a new Dingmann Funeral Home, but that was stopped because it is zoned low-density residential.Serie spent time around town Tuesday, passing out flyers, encouraging people to attend tonight’s meeting in support of changing the zone and allowing Dingmann to construct a new funeral home there. The flyer said in part, "This meeting is very important for the future of Fledgling Field. "oDo you want it for a funeral home which will pay $8,000 to $10,000 per year in real estate taxes? "oDo you want the city to spend $150,000 to make it into a park?"oDo you want to leave it as an alfalfa field?"Although everyone will get a chance to be heard, consultant Rusty Fifield said the loudest voices won’t necessarily dictate the results. He said there’s a delicate balance between accepting public input and applying individual ideas toward the broader good of the entire community.Luverne Economic Development Director Dan Statema said the governing of the city is directed by what people want from the city."I hope we get a good turnout, not just a large number of people, but a good representation," Statema said.The city purpose of a new Comprehensive Plan is to set a general course for the city of Luverne for the next 10 years, mostly in land use, but in other areas, such as economic development, too. It can influence all parts of the city from traffic patterns to park locations to specific downtown business signage.The last Comprehensive Plan wasn’t used much by the city, as evidenced by development decisions that are contrary to the last plan.Current leadership, however, has indicated it will make following the plan a priority.
