2000-11-06-2000 Special Called Workshop Meeting

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• ............................................................................ ~ Chapter 13 Planning .is a continuous process. As such, it is important to realize that the La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update is by no means an end in itself. In fact, standing alone it is merely a source of information on existing conditions and future desires, capable of accomplishing very little. A Comprehensive Plan must be constantly scrutinized to ensure that its goals, objectives, policies, and recommended actions continue to reflect changing community needs and attitudes. Likewise, great care should be taken to ensure that its policies are continually reflected in the La Porte 2020 Land Use Plan, which is the general plan for land use and development for the City of La Porte. Recommendations for the continuing planning process are provided in this chapter. The Comprehensive Plan is the City's guide for government officials and citizens in making public policy decisions regarding future land use and development. Perhaps most importantly, the Comprehensive Plan must be brought to life through a dynamic implementation framework, which recommends specific proposals for programs and actions that should be implemented by the City. The essence of the Comprehensive Plan is an implementation program that, includes specific program recommendations and actions addressing each of the plan elements.. The products of the implementation program include an action plan with accountability of the agency responsible for implementation, acapital improvement program, and implementation tools such as the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and other development-related ordinances. ~ ~ ~ The Continuing Planning Process Circumstances will continue to change in the future, and the La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update will require modifications and refinements to be kept up-to- date and current. Some of its proposals will be found . unworkable and other solutions will continue to emerge. Needed refinements and changes should be carefully noted and thoroughly considered as part of the Annual Plan Updates and 5-Year Major Plan Revisions. As changes occur, however, La Porte's Vision should remain the central theme and provide a unifying element. The plan's importance lies in the commitment of citizens to agree on La Porte's .purposes for the future, and to apply that consensus in continuing efforts that focus on the betterment of their community. Pq~e 13-1