City’s comprehensive plan receives award

Local News

May 29, 2011

By Kelly McKinney Register News Writer The Richmond Register Sun May 29, 2011, 01:00 PM EDT

RICHMOND — Richmond’s 2011 comprehensive plan was named Outstanding Plan of the Year by the Kentucky chapter of the American Planning Association (KAPA).

Richmond City Planning and Zoning Director Mike Roberts accepted the award Friday at an awards ceremony at Dale Hollow Lake. City Manager Jimmy Howard and city commissioner Richard Thomas accompanied Roberts to the ceremony.

This is the first time Richmond has won the award, or was even nominated, Roberts said.

The plan was nominated for the award by HNTB Corporation, the Louisville-based company that developed it for the city, Roberts said.

This is the first year the plan was developed by HNTB. Past comprehensive plans were written by Ron Marionneaux, who has retired.

KAPA chose just one plan from several submitted from small Kentucky jurisdictions, said Amy Williams, an employee of HNTB who also serves as KAPA’s secretary.

“There were multiple and highly competitive submissions,” Williams said in an e-mail.

Nearly all Kentucky cities are considered in the small jurisdiction category, Roberts said. So, winning it was a big deal. He credits the accomplishment to the help of several of Richmond’s citizens.

“We had a lot of public support and participation,” Roberts said. “The steering committee played an important role in putting this thing together.”

The steering committee was a group of citizens who gave the plan developers their input during the plan-making process.

HNTB finished its plan in January.

Prior to this, the city’s comprehensive plan was last updated in July 2007. State law mandates that each city and county government body review its plan every five years.

This new plan is a brand-new plan that is designed to guide the city’s growth over the next 20 years, Roberts said.

It provides seven main goals for the city, including promoting economic development; encouraging quality, stable neighborhoods; improving the quality of life for all residents; providing a sound transportation network; supporting a life-long education; advocating for a sustainable community; and reinforcing Richmond’s distinctive character and sense of place.

Traffic issues make up a big portion of the plan. A new north-south road may be needed, according to the plan. Also, many residents said they would like multi-use paths for walking and biking. The plan incorporates a system of these paths.

“This system would include, ideally, a 10-12 foot path along Lexington Road, Main Street, Irvine Road, Lancaster Avenue, Tates Creek Avenue and portions of Eastern Bypass,” the document states. Also, narrower paths should be developed downtown.

A need for sidewalk and streetscape improvements also exists.

The plan also outlines recommendations for future land use. Unused or dilapidated areas in the city’s urban core should be developed as much as possible, the plan states. The new development should be built to fit in well with surrounding properties.

Also, many of the city’s outlying areas that are considered part of Richmond but governed by the county should be annexed to the city and developed, the document states.

Richmond began working on the revision in early 2009. Shortly after, HNTB was hired to develop the plan and spent several months gathering the necessary data, which included taking surveys and conducting public forums.

Roberts plans to present the plaque to the city commission at its next meeting.

A copy of the plan can be downloaded from Richmond’s website at planning.richmond.ky.us.

Kelly McKinney can be reached at kmckinney@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.

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