(Atlantic, IA) – The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission will hold  a public hearing beginning at 5:30-p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 13th, in the City Hall Council Chambers. The hearing is with regard to the 2025 City of Atlantic Comprehensive Plan, which includes Design Standards for Single-Family Dwellings.

A Comprehensive Plan, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s paper on Planning and Zoning and the Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan, is “…a document designed to guide the future actions of a city or county. The Iowa Supreme Court has stated that the legal purpose of the comprehensive plan is to ‘direct use and development of property by dividing it into districts according to present and potential uses.’ The comprehensive plan also presents a vision for the future with long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect the local government. This includes guidance on how to make decisions on public and private land development proposals, the expenditure of public funds, and issues of pressing concern (such as farmland preservation for counties, or the rehabilitation of older neighborhoods in cities). Most plans are written to provide direction for ten to twenty years after their adoption.”  It is recommended such plans be reviewed and possibly updated every five years.

Following the public hearing, the Commission will act on an “Order to Approve the 2025 Comprehensive Plan.” Other P&Z business, Tuesday, includes the introduction of new Planning & Zoning Commission member Roger Poulsen, who was sworn-in by Atlantic Mayor Rob Clausen during the Jan. 7th City Council meeting, and, discussion on a questionnaire regarding regulation for non-traditional housing.