The Chandler City Council approved a roadmap for development over the next 25 to 30 years. At their monthly meeting on Aug. 12, they adopted the Comprehensive Plan compiled by Kimley-Horn.
The engineering, planning and design consultant spent over a year working on the plan, with the help of community engagement through local events, the Comprehensive Plan Committee, and other avenues, said Darran Scott, a Kimley-Horn representative.
“I look forward to what we do. You know, it’s only as good as what we do with it,” Mayor Kent McVey said after the plan was approved.
The plan presents the town’s new vision statement, along with recommended action plans for future land use, community branding, housing, transportation and mobility, downtown and parks, trails and recreation. It covers everything from zoning to recommendations for infrastructure and attracting more residential and industrial development. It also addresses future amenities at existing parks, along with studying the lakes to find additional tourism/revenue opportunities.
Scott said they started by asking questions, namely, how residents, business owners, and other stakeholders wanted Chandler to look in 15, 25, or 30 years.
“Obviously, retail, businesses, restaurants. I think that was a lot of input that we heard. But also keeping that small-town feel. Making sure it still feels like Chandler in that regard,” he said.
He added that it is good to start quickly on some items so that the plan doesn’t get put away and forgotten. Some are currently underway, like McClanahan Park, and Scott said Kimley-Horn would be available to work with the City Council and the City of Chandler to discuss projects that could happen right away.
When asked by Ward IV Councilperson Robin Crouch what he thought was an immediate project, Scott said the pool and also suggested new signage, how to revamp downtown, and policy changes geared toward future development.
Scott also said that more quality jobs were high on residents’ priority lists. People with kids wanted plenty of good job opportunities in the area so that their children could stay local and the town could grow steadily.
The Comprehensive Plan is available for the public to view through City Hall.