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Plan Commission reviewing draft Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee has approved a draft of the Comprehensive Plan, which is now being reviewed by the Plan Commission. Once approved by the Plan Commission, the Plan will go before City Council for adoption. Stay tuned!

Community Information Meeting -- August 25!

Please join us on Thursday, August 25 from 7-9 pm at Oak Terrace School, 240 Prairie Avenue, for a Community Information Meeting about the proposed update to the Highwood Comprehensive Plan. There will be a presentation and question and answer session with Houseal Lavigne Associates, the firm working closely with the City in developing the plan. More information can be found at http://www.hlplanning.com/highwood.

Draft Plan being Reviewed!

A draft of the entire Comprehensive Plan has been submitted to the CPAC for review. A revised version of this document will be posted to this website in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for an announcement about upcoming Community Workshops to review the draft plan!

CPAC Working Hard

A draft of the Vision Statement, Goals and Objectives were submitted in the weeks following the Visioning Session. The CPAC has been working diligently to review and revise these draft documents which will form the core of the Comprehensive Plan moving forward.

The Consultant Team recently met with the CPAC to review these documents and receive further direction on the subarea plans to be included in the Comprehensive Plan and will be working with the CPAC in the coming weeks to prepare the draft subarea and city-wide plans. Interim deliverables will continue to be posted to the Documents page of this website as they are prepared and approved by the CPAC.

Visioning Session A Hit!

Thanks to all those who attended the Visioning Session on Thursday, September 20. The input received from the estimated 70 residents and business owners at the workshop will be used to guide the planning process moving forward. The next step is the creation of a Vision Statement which will serve as the foundation of the Comprehensive Plan's goals and objectives and inform related City policies to be identified in the plan.

Visioning Session Schedule for September 16

HIGHWOOD RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS - Please join us on Thursday,September 16 from 7-9 pm at Oak Terrace School, 240 Prairie Avenue; for a Visioning Session that continues the City's Comprehensive Plan. People in attendance will collaborate and brainstorm on key elements of Highwood's new Master Plan.

For more information contact Highwood City Hall at 847-432-1924

Existing Conditions Report Draft Completed

A draft of the existing conditions report has been submitted for review by the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC). Now that we have a firm understanding of where we are, a community visioning workshop must be scheduled to answer the question of "where do we want to go?" Check back soon to see where and when the next community workshop will be held.

Business Owner Workshop

city of highwood Seeks input from local business community

The City of Highwood is in the process of developing its new/updated Comprehensive Plan, and is seeking input from local businesses. The Comprehensive Plan is intended to serve as a “road map” to help guide community policy and decision making over the next 10 to 15 years for issues ranging from community character and aesthetics to redevelopment and open space. The Plan will provide general recommendations as well as specific program actions directed toward guiding land-use and development decision-making for the City. The Comprehensive Plan will establish a long-range vision for the community, define community goals and objectives, and provide guidance for implementing programs and policies to assist in making positive change for Highwood.

We need your help . . .
The City and the Consultants working on the Plan are seeking input from area businesses. A breakfast/workshop meeting for Highwood businesses will be held at Highwood City Hall on Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. The purpose of this workshop is to allow business representatives to identify and discuss issues and concerns that are facing the City and the business community. We encourage you to attend and participate in theworkshop. Your input will help shape the context of the Comprehensive Plan and help to ensure that it reflects the interests of the Highwood business community.

What’s Next . . .
In coming months, there will be other meetings to review and discuss existing conditions within and around the City, and to present preliminary plans and recommendations for local consideration. Throughout the process updates and information will be posted on the City’s Web Page to help keep you informed of progress and any upcoming events. The dates and times of all meetings, workshops and presentations will be posted to help keep you informed about how you can participate. For any questions or comments please contact Jeff Harding at 847-432-1924.

Community Workshop Summary Available

A summary of the first community workshop held on February 1, 2010 (English) is now available for view/download. Please refer to the Documents page of this website. A summary of the input received during the February 3, 2010 (Spanish) workshop will be available shortly.

Thank you for attending the first public meetings!

Thanks to all who attended the first of many public workshops that will be held throughout the Comprehensive Planning process. Both the February 1 and February 3 workshops were well attended and the City gained valuable input that it will use to create a Comprehensive Plan that is responsive to the needs of the community. Summaries of both workshops will be posted shortly. Stay tuned!

Resident & Business Questionnaires posted!

If you missed the initial community meetings there is still time to give your input. Please complete either the resident or business owner/operator questionnaire by clicking one of the links on the ‘Participate’ page of the website. The surveys take about 15 minutes to complete and you will be redirected back to the project website when you’re done.

Help us to create Highwood's Master Plan!

Welcome:

As your Mayor, I, the City Council, and a dedicated group of citizens making up our Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee are beginning work on a much-needed revision of Highwood’s Master Plan, last revised in 1998. It’s time for a change and for a fresh look at this guide for our great city’s future.

I look at this process as the creation of a road map. We know our starting point is Today and we know our immediate destination is the year 2020. What path we take, what turns we make, and where we speed up and slow down on our journey is up to you. We are the drivers and you’re our navigators. Do we want more or less density in our city, and where, do we need a greater housing stock for our sizable senior population, do our children need more parks? Give us direction. If you have an opinion as to where our city should go we are listening.

So come join us and help us create Highwood's tomorrow. We ask that you participate one of two ways: join us at Oak Terrace at 7:00 p.m. on February 1^st and/or February 3^rd for our community workshops or offer your input online at www.cityofhighwood.com. Houseal Lavigne Associates, our planning consultants in this process, intend to use these views to guide your City Council, and the City’s Plan Commission as we engage in this process together.

When I ran for this office, I promised you a more open government. Thus, I would be pleased if you considered this to be a concrete and essential part of the promise I and my elected colleagues made to you.

Thank you, and please let us hear from you.

Respectfully,
Mayor Charlie Pecaro