What is the Mill City Comprehensive Plan?
The Mill City Comprehensive Plan provides a framework for orderly growth and development in the City of Mill City. The Plan describes a long term vision for the community.
Under Oregon law, each city and county in the state must adopt a Comprehensive Plan and accompanying zoning, subdivision and related ordinances to manage development in the community. The goals and policies in the Plan and the implementation measures adopted by the City provide the regulatory structure that is to be used to achieve the City’s vision of how it will grow and develop over the next 20 years.
The Mill City Comprehensive Plan was originally adopted in 1980 after a three year community planning process which actively engaged the citizens of Mill City. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), the state’s land use planning agency, approved the plan and determined it complied with the statewide planning goals and policies.
After 35 years, the information in the Mill City Comprehensive Plan is out-of-date and needs to be updated. During the past year, the Mill City Planning Commission has prepared the 2015 Mill City Comprehensive Plan Update (Part 1). The 2015 plan update is the first significant revision to the comprehensive plan since 1990.
What is in the Comprehensive Plan?
The Mill City Comprehensive provides a blueprint for growth and development of the community. The plan describes where the community is today, where it wants to go and steps the City will take to get there by using development regulations and capital facility plans. The Comprehensive Plan map shows where residential, commercial and industrial growth will occur.
How is the Comprehensive Plan Used?
The Comprehensive Plan is the governing document for all City land use decisions. All proposals for new development must comply with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances.
When the City receives a development proposal, the project is reviewed by the Planning Commission. Before any project is approved, the Planning Commission must verify it is consistent with the Mill City Comprehensive Plan, the project can be served by public facilities and it meets all zoning requirements.
What are the Statewide Planning Goals?
Every comprehensive plan in the state must address the statewide planning goals. The Mill City Comprehensive Plan contains goals and policies that address 14 of Oregon’s statewide planning goals:
1 - Citizen Involvement
2 – Land Use Planning
3 – Agricultural Lands
4 – Forest Lands
5 – Natural, Scenic and Historic Resources
6 – Air, Water and Land Resource Quality
7 – Areas Subject to Natural Hazards
8 – Recreational Needs
9 – Economic Development
10 – Housing
11 – Public Facilities
12 – Transportation
13 – Energy Conservation
14 – Urbanization
Part 1 of the 2015 Mill City Comprehensive Plan Update addresses statewide planning Goals 1 to 7 and Goal 9. The City has prepared new maps showing natural resources, flood hazard areas and existing land uses. The City has also gathered information on housing, commercial and industrial uses, and demographic data about the people who live in Mill City. In addition, the City has updated its inventory of buildings on the City’s historic register. Goals and Policies were updated. In the Fall of 2015, the Planning Commission will complete Part 2 of the plan update to address the remaining statewide planning goals.
Why does the City Need a Comprehensive Plan?
An up-to-date plan has several benefits for the City:
·The Comprehensive Plan provides a blueprint to guide future growth.
·The City uses the plan to prioritize water, sewer, transportation and park facility improvements.
·A clear plan provides certainty for existing residents, businesses and developers who want to make investments in the community.
·An up-to-date plan enhances the City’s ability to compete for state, federal and foundation funding for city projects because it demonstrates City leaders have a long-term vision and are focused on improving the community.
What can I do to help? How can I be involved?
You are invited to review the 2015 Mill City Comprehensive Plan Update at City Hall at any time between now and March 24, 2015. On Tuesday, March 24th the City will hold an open house to discuss the plan. You are invited to drop by City Hall at any time between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The open house is intended to give you an opportunity to informally talk with the Mill City Planning Commissioners, City Councilors and city staff. They will be available to answer questions about how the plan affects you and/or your property. The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a public hearing beginning at 6:30 p.m. on March 24th. You are invited to testify at the public hearing. You may also submit written comments to City Hall prior to the hearing.
The Mill City Planning Commission invites you to assist with the Part 2 portion of the Comprehensive Plan Update later this year. If you are interested in helping write, review, edit or comment on the plan update, please talk to any city official.