What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A Comprehensive Plan is a long-range planning document that establishes a community’s vision for the future and serves as a road map for achieving that vision over the next 10 to 20 years. The Comprehensive Plan acts as a policy guide providing a framework for the City’s staff and appointed/elected officials to make zoning, development, and other decisions. The Comprehensive Plan is not a zoning ordinance, subdivision regulation, capital improvement program, or other regulatory document, but rather the basis for the City’s creation and maintenance of such tools which help to implement a Comprehensive Plan.

The Comprehensive Plan identifies priorities related to future land use, street layout, housing, commercial and industrial development, parks & recreation, and other topics that impact the City moving forward. 

  • Provides a Future Land Use Map describing the community’s desired future land use mix.

  • Provides a rational basis for zoning and development decisions.

  • Provides an action-oriented implementation strategy to help the City track progress, measure success, and recalibrate over time.

  • Adapts as new trends, challenges, and opportunities arise.


What does a Comprehensive Plan contain?

While Comprehensive Plans are tailored to the unique needs and landscape of each community, the document typically contains the following sections:

  • Existing Conditions Analysis

  • Public Engagement

  • Goals and Objectives

  • Implementation Strategies

  • Future Land Use Map

The specific sections of Hazelwood’s Comprehensive Plan document will be refined throughout the planning process.

Who participates in this process?

All members of a community are encouraged to participate in the planning process. Public input during the planning process help the Project Team to build consensus around the goals, objectives, and strategies that serve as the framework for the Comprehensive Plan.

  • Residents, Businesses, Property Owners, and Local Employees

  • Community Groups and Civic Institutions

  • Steering Committee (typically comprised of City and Community leaders)

  • City Departments

  • Planning & Zoning Commission

  • Board of Aldermen