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North Branch is embarking on a process to review and update the city Comprehensive Plan.  In his first few months at the helm at city hall North Branch, Administrator Matthew Hill advised council in their special meeting April 29,  that the comp plan is approaching the usual point where plans benefit from being looked at, which is at least every 10 years.  North Branch’s existing plan is from 2018.

The meeting lasted about one hour with Council member Patrick Meacham absent.  

In addition to discussing the Comprehensive Plan timeframe, the council also approved staff to submit an application for a state Business Development Public Infrastructure grant to help with a potentially $2.4 million project.  The hope is to extend Fletcher Avenue and utilities 850 feet to the north making business park development more attractive.

In the ensuing comp plan comments Mayor Kevin Schieber observed that another nearby municipal comp plan he’s familiar with took three years to be adequately updated and enacted.   He added that with summer approaching and family vacations and demands on peoples’ time— the schedule for public review and input should have some flexibility built in.  The Comp Pan review at this time is slated for a couple public input sessions sometime in June and July.  And, city council has scheduled another special meeting on May 20.   

Council member Jeff Goulet agreed that “...right is more important than fast” and said if the citizen input portion takes longer than projected that is acceptable. 

Council also wishes to get information on what has been accomplished from the existing plan goals and needed amenities.  There should also be some background for council on intentions behind certain zoning and standards North Branch has in place and if they are still feasible or realistic.  The only member who served near the time of the last plan reviewal is Robert Canada.

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