Commission seeks flexible language for proposed Huntington Heritage Complex to expand grant eligibility

At its March 12 meeting the Huntington City Planning Commission discussed language revisions to the general plan for a planned recreational development near the Rodeo Grounds area now being called the Huntington Heritage Complex.

Jessica Lee, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, told commissioners the maps in the plan are current and that the cover and table of contents had been updated. Commissioners objected to locking the site into a single use described as a disc‑golf course; one commissioner recommended changing the label to something broader such as “proposed Huntington Heritage Complex development” so grant applications would not be limited by specific wording. "If you remove the disc golf word, it's just saying whatever happens there," a commissioner said, urging language that would allow trails, trees and other multiuse recreational features.

Members also reported an agreement with a local college to provide equipment and student labor to move dirt for the project, but noted the college approval and grant timing make the project medium‑term (five to ten years) rather than immediate. Commissioners proposed adding a new action box in the plan to list exploration of the Heritage Complex and to tie the map project to explicit goals to improve the city’s chances when seeking grant funds.

The commission directed staff to update plan wording and alignment (including consistent naming: Huntington Heritage Complex rather than “Rodeo Grounds”) and to bring the revised pages back for review at a future meeting once codification and Title 9 timing are resolved.