City ready to present ‘Fairfield Forward’ plan to the public

Fairfield’s comprehensive plan, which is deemed the “road map” for the future planning of the city, will be on display for the public to review in about two weeks.

Members of Fairfield’s city council and planning commission are expected to vote on the plan, known as “Fairfield Forward,” by the end of the year. But on Sept. 24, the public can review and share last-minute thoughts on the plan from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive.

The city hired Jacobs Engineering to lead the “Fairfield Forward” comprehensive plan, which is designed to guide the future development, redevelopment and reinvestment of the community. The city agreed to pay Jacobs $115,640, of which $5,000 is funded through a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation.

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“Vibrancy and diversity is something people loved about this city,” said Paul Culter, Jacobs Engineering project manager.

He also said “a strong sense of community” is what stands out for residents and stakeholders participating in the plan’s development “from a residential, quality of life, business standpoint. “That’s what makes Fairfield stand out in what they want to live, work, play and visit,” Culter said.

“The vision is to carry forward the best of the city in realizing its goals and policies through that vision and implement that vision,” he said.

The plan was developed from August 2018 to September 2019 with input from city staff, elected officials, community members, and residents and stakeholders on a steering committee and one of four small area plan committees.

Residents told city officials dozens of things they want to see and not see, including, among other things:

• more sidewalks and biking and walking trails and paths

• safer pedestrian routes

• improved property maintenance enforcement

• limited used car lots, and

• more dining options.

City Manager Mark Wendling said a lot the results in the plan came from the community.

“It did not come from staff. It came from community members who are invested,” he said.

While city staff and elected officials provided input, Mayor Steve Miller said it was good to have more residential opinions in the plan.

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“To bring in the people, they are bringing up these ideas. A lot are very similar to what we think, and it validates everything what we’re doing,” he said.

But Miller said the plan is “something you can’t shelf” and says it needs to be regularly reviewed, something city staff said was the intent, calling it a fluid document.

“Too many of these things get put on a shelf, and you never see them again,” Miller said. “It’s way too important, way too much time, way too much money invested.”

Wendling said planning commission should open the comprehensive plan when there are pending issues before the body, to determine if the proposals before it conform.


HOW TO GO

What: Open House for "Fairfield Forward" comprehensive plan

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 24

Where: Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive

More info: www.fairfieldforward.com

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