DRIPPING SPRINGS BABBLE: CITY OF DS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND CALL FOR STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

CITY OF DS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND CALL FOR STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The City of Dripping Springs Council Members, staff and community leaders will soon be updating its Comprehensive Plan for the City. A Steering Committee made up of citizens, business representatives, property owners and interested area volunteers appointed by the City Council will guide the process which includes the gathering of public input and an update of the City’s current plan. Those interested in serving on the Steering Committee should submit a letter of interest to City Hall no later than August 15. Each Council Member and Mayor Todd Purcell will appoint 2 members to the Steering Committee. Committee Members are not required to live in the Dripping Springs city limits. Staff from Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc. will work with the Steering Committee to develop the plan. LCRA Community and Economic Development representative Chris Holtkamp said the new plan will go a little deeper than the older version. "With a community like Dripping Springs that is experiencing so much growth, it is important for the City to create a common vision which leaders will follow in the decisionmaking process."

The process should take six to seven months and will begin with a survey that will be sent to area homes and businesses in the City’s quarterly newsletter. Residents and area business representatives are encouraged to complete the survey and return it to the City of Dripping Springs no later than August 15. To submit the survey online, just go to the City of Dripping Springs website at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com.

City Administrator Michelle Fischer said that the confidential survey is an initial effort to hear what the citizens and businesses of Dripping Springs feel the priorities should be for the community. "The information compiled through the survey will be used to structure a Town Hall meeting and focus groups which will allow for additional public input. At least one Town Hall Meeting will be held in September and the public will be encouraged to attend. From the responses gathered at the meeting and through the surveys, the Steering Committee will develop common ideas into more specific priorities and recommendations," Fischer said. These recommendations will then be taken to City Council for consideration and approval.

The plan will address a variety of topics that are important to the development of the city, including demographics, community vision, future land use, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, economic development, housing, and community development. As the Steering Committee is comprised of diverse citizens representing different perspectives and interests, they will serve as the voice of the public in writing the plan. According to the City:

"The Comprehensive Plan will result in a document that provides clear and specific actions for the community to undertake to address key issues identified in the process. It is not simply a Plan that lays out broad strategy; rather it will provide a clear course of action to implement the recommendations. Successful implementation will involve the entire community, not just City government. There will be opportunities for citizens, non-profit groups, and other organizations to take ownership of projects identified in the plan. In addition, elected officials, city staff and other community organizations will utilize the plan to prepare for future growth. The more involved citizens and area residents are; the more impact and success the plan will have. Public participation will ensure that those issues most important to the citizens are addressed in the comprehensive plan."

The City urges you to fill out your survey and make every effort to attend the upcoming Town Hall Meetings.