Oct. 1, 2020

For immediate release

CONTACT:    Matt Manley, senior planner

                        Development Services

                        423.434.6059

City seeking public comment on five-year extension to 2020 Comprehensive Plan

The City’s Development Services Department is engaged in a review and assessment of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, also known as the Bridge Plan. Originally adopted by the City Commission in the mid-2000s, the plan was intended to serve as a 15-year guide for the City of Johnson City and its surrounding areas. The review will result in an update of the document to provide guidance to decision-makers and leaders for an additional five-year period.

“The 2020 Comprehensive Plan is a well-written document and most aspects of it are still highly relevant today,” said Senior Planner Matt Manley. “With 2020 being a Census year, the planning division has proposed the Bridge Plan to serve as a transition document until that data can be made available and utilized as the baseline for a new, full-scale comprehensive plan.”

The review is being conducted by planning division staff as well as more than a dozen partner organizations.

“This process will result in some new language that will freshen up the document and make sure current issues and viewpoints are represented,” said Manley. “The primary focus for revisions will be at the action or task level with minor revisions to the policy level. The goals and objectives of the recommendations included in the original comprehensive plan will remain in place.”

Public input is a desired and integral part of the process. A schedule of public meetings, workshops and hearings have been put in place. The first meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St.

Other public meetings, all held at the Municipal and Safety Building, about the Bridge Plan include:

Nov. 10, 2020 – Planning Commission Workshop

Nov. 16, 2020 – City Commission Workshop

Dec. 8, 2020 – Planning Commission Public Hearing

Dec. 17, 2020 – City Commission Public Hearing

More information about the 2020 Comprehensive Plan and the Bridge Plan can be found at www.johnsoncitytn.org/bridgeplan. For additional information or to submit written or verbal comments about the Bridge Plan, contact Matt Manley at mmanley@johnsoncitytn.org or 423-434-6059.

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