Planning commission recommends draft economic development strategic plan to city council

The Willard Planning Commission voted to recommend the draft economic development strategic plan to the city council after staff reported that the city collects sales and transient tax revenue from the nearby state park and that county planners’ zoning maps align closely with the city’s future land‑use map.

Staff told commissioners that about two‑thirds of the revenue from that source appears to come from the state park, with the remainder from the other campground; the staff member said the division was a quick estimate and that exact figures were not recalculated to the last dollar at the meeting. “We do collect tax revenue from the state park,” the staff member said when describing the revenue assumptions built into the draft plan.

Commissioners discussed annexation and consistency with county planning; staff said county planners and the city generally agree along the highway corridor to pursue more commercial uses over time but that annexation and utility availability would guide any future rezoning. One commissioner noted the city reviews its comprehensive plans on a five‑year cycle and suggested revisiting South Willard as conditions evolve.

A motion to recommend the draft plan was made and seconded; the commission approved the recommendation on a voice vote.