What should Hamilton look like in 15 years? This new city plan has some answers

The Hamilton Planning Commission on Monday recommended that Hamilton City Council approve a city comprehensive plan, known as Plan Hamilton.

The commission voted 5-0 for that recommendation after hearing presentations from Wendy Moeller, principal of Blue Ash consulting firm Compass Point Planning, and city Planning Director Liz Hayden.

Plan Hamilton can be found at www.planhamilton.com.

Plan Hamilton seeks to answer the question: What do Hamilton residents want their city to be like in 15 years? The plan, which proponents hope will chart a course for the city that transcends politics, was developed over 18 months, using 4,500 pieces of feedback from individuals, nine community meetings or open houses and 14 online surveys.

One thing that was added to the plan since the city in December asked the public for feedback on its final draft was the decision that the feasibility of an aquatics center in Hamilton be explored, Hayden said.

The plan likely will be considered by Hamilton City Council at its Feb. 27 meeting.

Unlike many such plans, Plan Hamilton is written only online, which gives it several benefits, other than the lower printing costs (a small pamphlet was created to summarize it), Moeller and Hayden said.

For one thing, it will be easier to include progress reports and quick updates within the plan. Hayden said the city plans to provide at least annual progress reports to the commission and city council about the report.

Also, Plan Hamilton should be evaluated every five years, Hayden said.

“Implementation is something I take very seriously,” said Hayden, who noted city planners will take the lead in providing progress updates.

When there are proposed changes to the plan, minor ones should be approved by the planning commission, with major ones going before the council, Hayden said.

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