UPDATE – November 5, 2020
Following months of work and a final review of recent comments received about the Thrive 2040 – City of Johnston Comprehensive Plan, the Johnston City Council formally adopted the plan at their meeting on November 2, 2020.
The Johnston Economic Development Corporation submitted our final review and comments in a September 15, 2020 memo to the City Council (available here). JEDCO supports many elements of the plan including changes in certain land use categories, the goal of maintaining a balanced housing supply with housing available for people at all income levels, the goal of maintaining a competitive financial incentive policy and economic development toolbox, and continued investments in community amenities that add to the quality of life for our workforce and residents.
A community comprehensive plan is a living document that is not fixed for the next 20 years. Circumstances and markets change. Developers, residents and property owners will seek amendments to the plan. And there are many topics that will be subject to ongoing planning by the City. Here are a few things to look for in the next year.
- A Johnston Broadband Visioning plan will be conducted by the City with the assistance of JEDCO member HR Green. The process will assess community access to broadband telecommunications services and develop a vision for future access to high speed bandwidth.
- The City will soon undertake an updated community and business survey to gather input from residents and business owners about City services and community needs.
- The annual process of developing the City’s Capital Improvement plan is just beginning. Draft plans identify the following as key projects:
- Completing the Town Center intersection and NW 62nd Ave. and Merle Hay Road
- Completing the reconstruction of NW 54th Ave.
- Reconstructing the intersection of Johnston Drive and Merle Hay Road to facilitate the Ignit recreation center project
- Constructing the NW Beaver Drive overlay from Merle Hay Road to NW 66th Ave.
- Constructing a new trail on 86th Street between NW 54th Ave. and NW 62nd Ave.
- Making improvements to Lew Clarkson park and further developments for the Beaver Creek Water trail
Community development and planning is an ongoing process and the items highlighted here represent only a portion of the scope of work that occurs on topics ranging from sewer and water infrastructure to housing to parks and amenities.