PONDERAY — The city's planning commission has begun the process to update the city's existing comprehensive plan and future land use map.

"Make no little plans" is a well-known quote among city planners and is attributed to Daniel Burnham, the famous architect who wrote one of the nation's first comprehensive plans for the city of Chicago, Ponderay officials said in the introduction of the proposed document. "While the city of Ponderay does not desire to be, nor is it anticipated to become, a large city, Ponderay is making good on its promise of being 'the little city with the big future.'"

The proposed revision includes a complete update and rewrite of the plan, last updated in 2005. The revised plan will be updated to include all 17 components required for inclusion in comprehensive plans by Idaho Code, according to a city press release.

A public hearing on the proposed changes is set for Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held in Ponderay city hall council chamber, 288 Fourth St.

An open house will be held from 4-6 p.m. at city hall prior to the start of the hearing for city residents to learn more about the plan and ask questions.

Those unable to attend in person can go visit the city's website at cityofponderay.org/pz-agendas to register to attend the hearing remotely.

Ponderay officials said in the plan's introduction that while it envisions a bold future for the city, that growth is set to happen over time, ensuring that both services and infrastructure are in place to support new development.

City officials have been working on the plan for the past 18 months, holding workshops, sending out surveys, seeking input at community events, and reaching out to the public, community businesses and organizations.

"Despite growth and change that may occur over the course of this plan's 25-year horizon, the values expressed by the community have been carried into its policies," officials said in the plan. "Key themes include maintaining and enhancing Ponderay's small-town feel and identity, delivering more walking and biking possibilities, enhancing recreational amenities while preserving natural features, providing new educational facilities and opportunities for Ponderay's youth, ensuring a diverse mix of housing types, supporting business innovation and opportunity, and creating destination hubs for neighbors to gather."

While the rapid growth seen in the region following the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, all signs point to the area continuing to grow. A gateway to a variety of recreation options, the city also serves as a regional commercial hub, home to both large retailers and small businesses. The city's communities have emerged as "attractive and more affordable alternatives for many households."

Investments to improve its residents' quality of life include the first phase of the 50-acre Field of Dreams Recreation Complex and designs for the Lakeshore Connection project to the south.

However, challenges exist to the city's growth, something which comprehensive plan looks to address.

Among the challenges include a lack of basic infrastructure, including roadways, sewer service, and water pressure, in some areas, including roughly 900 acres of undeveloped property surrounding the recreation complex. In addition, the city is also situated within the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille watershed, necessitating careful consideration in site planning for drainage patterns, stormwater treatment, and habitat preservation.

The updated plan aims to both provide consistent policy direction and set the stage of what can be built in the city and where.

All written comments will be accepted up until one week prior to the hearing. Written comments of less than one page and oral testimony will be accepted until the close of the public comment portion of the hearing.

After public testimony is taken, Ponderay planning and zoning is expected to make a recommendation on the plan, which could include adoption, denial, remand or continuance of the hearing. The proposal would then be sent to the Ponderay city council for action.

Comments may be mailed to Ponderay — City Planning, P.O. Box 500, Ponderay, ID 83852 or via email to KayLeigh Miller at [email protected].

For more information including the complete record of the file visit Ponderay— City Planning at 288 Fourth St., Ponderay, ID 83852.