City official discusses development plan

The comprehensive plan is the city's first in more than 30 years.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- City officials have approved a plan that may play a key role in the development of the city over the next 20 years.
A new comprehensive plan approved by city council earlier this month is a means of looking into the future to see how the city should look and what steps must be taken to get to that point, Councilwoman Bonnie Viele said.
"This is just basically a plan on how we want to see the city develop instead of allowing things to happen haphazardly," she said. "This is a plan on how development should happen if we were in an ideal world."
The recently approved comprehensive plan is the first plan on future development and growth since 1973.
Viele said a major part of the plan deals with property along Youngstown-Hubbard Road and other areas where township and city lines meet. She said city and township leaders are looking to coordinate zoning along the meeting points so development on the outskirts of both jurisdictions blends.
According to Viele, a board of residents from the city and township will be formed to review proposed development in those areas.
Other components
Another aspect of the plan calls for the possible installation of a professional park. Viele said the city is in need of doctor's offices, particularly those in specialized practice.
"We have a lack of doctors and specialty people," she said. "There is an area to the east bordering on the township where it might be nice to have a professional park."
As part of the development of the comprehensive plan, residents were asked to identify some of the greater needs in the city. Viele said two needs they came up with were more senior housing and more green space.
Viele said the plan details some areas within walking distance to downtown that would be ideal for developing more senior housing.
According to Viele, a section of land between Harding Park and the city limits could be designated as green space.
She said the area city leaders had in mind is not ideal for development because it is hilly and has a stream running through. She said the property could be acquired and permanently set aside.
Now that the plan has been approved, Viele said the next step will be to redo the city's zoning book.
She said the plan will not dictate zoning regulations, but will serve as a tool in the redevelopment of the regulations.
jgoodwin@vindy.com