Monett Comprehensive Plan reaches final form

The Monett Comprehensive Plan, the strategic document required by state law for cities that have zoning, has reached its final form. 

The document, in preparation for two years, underwent a public open house on May 5 to gather final comment before its completion. The final document runs 172 pages, up from the 147-page version available at the open house version. It has been released as part of the packet for the July 9 Monett City Council meeting. 

Mayor Randy Burke said the plan was to go to the Monett Planning and Zoning Commission for a vote of recommendation on July 16. While the plan is officially a framework for the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Monett City Council will still have to formally adopt it at the Aug. 13 regular public meeting. The council gave a first reading of the ordinance accepting the document at its July 9 meeting. 

Burke commended Doug Potts, community development director, for contributing to the plan’s preparation, Potts’ 20th comprehensive plan over the course of his career. A 14-member comprehensive planning committee shaped the document under the direction of the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG). Jason Ray, executive director for SMCOG, was present at the meeting with several colleagues. They did not speak, but accepted congratulations on their work. 

Unlike the version of the plan available in May, the plan incorporated an appendix detailing the community survey submitted online by 472 people. Submissions from people who work in Monett were encouraged. A total of 61 percent of the respondents were people who work full-time. Almost a quarter of the respondents reported they were age 60 or older, the largest age group responding. Less than half of the respondents live in Monett, while only 15 respondents neither work or live in Monett. 

“Without a doubt, the most direct input we received was in regard to the prioritization of goals and objectives in the Comprehensive Plan,” said Potts. “As you will read, there are several very important topics covered in the plan, ranging from future land use to housing to community services and facilities. Under each of these topics, the Comprehensive Plan outlines a number of goals and objectives and there are many valuable insights about which topics, goals and objectives should take priority.

“When looking back on the other plans I have helped develop, this is a very good one – one of the best. The city found a great partner in SMCOG, which provided a very professional plan. I would also add that the SMCOG provided its expertise and guidance for an incredibly reasonable rate, especially when you compare it to what other communities pay for Comprehensive Plan updates.”

Potts noted general agreement came easily on the destination of the plan: “to professionally provide superior city services and economic development, while enhancing the quality of life.”

“Both the Citizen Steering Committee and our SMCOG partners agreed that the major points of the Comprehensive Plan: land use, housing, transportation, community facilities and services, and economic development are priorities for the City of Monett over the next 20 years,” he stated. “These are broad, yet vital, topics that impact nearly every Monett community member every single day.”

Monett’s last comprehensive plan dated from 1996.