Now’s the time to get involved with city planI’ve talked before about what I see as the importance of the Comprehensive Plan, which hasn’t been updated for 10 years.The city is spending about $50,000 for consultants to help write the new plan, so it’s obviously a priority. The city of Luverne is trying to plan for the future and adequately reflect the present. Effective long-range planning makes towns coherent and prevents zoning surprises from knocking on the doors of neighborhoods or businesses.The Planning Commission has previously said that it’s important for the city to better follow through with intentions this time around. For example, the city designated the southwest edge of town for industrial or business growth. But then the city turned it into a housing development and other things not planned for followed.The Comprehensive Plan could deal with everything from a lack of space for new business growth to city sprawl around the new hospital and clinic.Cities with good planning generally have consistent appearances, with a natural flow among business, industrial and residential areas. The city of Luverne has granted variances and changed zones and given conditional use permits that don’t fit in with the plan that was written 10 years ago. The Comprehensive Plan Task Force is starting its meeting schedule that allows for as many people as possible to sound off on what the city should evolve to from a zoning point of view.Now’s the time to get in on the planning because the city has said it will avoid the past scenarios of granting special permits and variances.Comprehensive Plan Calendar: Public Workshop No. 1: 7 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 13, Luverne Elementary School commons areaTask Force Meeting No. 2: 6 p.m. Thursday Aug. 14, City HallTask Force Meeting No. 3: 6 p.m. Thursday Sept. 4, City HallPublic Workshop No. 2: 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 2, Grade School Lunch RoomTask Force Meeting No. 4: 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 9, City HallTask Force Meeting No. 5: 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 30, City HallPublic Open House: 7 pm. Thursday Nov. 20, Luverne Elementary School commons areaPeople on the Task Force:Patrick Baustian, AldermanDavid Hauge, AldermanKaris Gust, Luverne Economic Development Rep.William Ketterling , Luverne Planning Commission Rep.David Smith, Chamber of Commerce RepresentativeBruce Baartman, Community MemberAmy VerSteeg, Community MemberBart Thielbar, Community MemberJim Harner, Community MemberPat Saum, Community MemberWayne Robinson, Community MemberDan Delgehausen, Luverne Building and Zoning Admin.Dan Statema, Luverne Economic Development DirectorLuverne City AdministratorHoisington Koegler Group Inc, Consultant
