Planning commission finds city’s six-year CIP in conformance with 2050 plan; forwards recommendation

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on April 15 reviewed the six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and unanimously recommended it conforms with the 2050 comprehensive plan.

Andrew Theroff, Planning and Development Services, presented the CIP and said departmental staff and the Capital Improvement Advisory Committee had reviewed projects. Theroff said the proposed CIP contains 186 projects, with Year 1 totaling about $534.2 million and Year 2 about $368.4 million, and a six-year total near $2.2 billion. He noted most funding comes from user fees, utility revenues, and grants, and that the CIP is web-based with linked project descriptions and maps.

Commissioners praised the briefing and the department’s work. One commissioner said the previous briefing had been helpful and another thanked departmental representatives and the mayor's office for their collaboration on a package covering public safety, libraries, parks and recreation and capital projects.

The commission voted 7–0 to recommend that the CIP is in conformance or general conformance with the comprehensive plan; the first two years of the CIP will be part of the city council’s budget decisions later this summer.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to the City Council for consideration during the budget process.