City planning staff: comprehensive plan submitted to state; next step is future land-use map work

City staff reported that the city's comprehensive plan was submitted to the state ahead of the June 29 deadline and that the staff followed up to confirm receipt. "We submitted it on... June 26," one staff member said, and members were told the state had not yet returned substantive feedback.

Commissioners discussed the next phase of work: the future land-use map and potential land use ordinance changes. Members reviewed transitional-zone decisions the council had made on Guinea Road and an area off Barrow Road that was moved between transitional, rural farm and residential designations. Staff noted that a comprehensive plan guides zoning changes but does not by itself change underlying zoning; rezoning or overlay districts would be needed to effect policy changes reflected in the comp plan.

Members agreed the comp plan gives them a framework for reviewing special areas (for example, the SR-1 area near Clifford Park) and that follow-up work on land use code will be needed to implement the plan's guidance.