What is in a Comprehensive Plan?
A comprehensive plan is a statement of goals and objectives that establishes a community's vision for the future. While not technically a legal document dictating how a community is developed, a comprehensive plan is meant to outline a vision to be realized over time (usually a 20-year period) via planning policy and regulatory tools.
The Comprehensive Plan is:
- Common Community Vision. The Plan will represent the vision and goals of the people of Branson and will provide a guidebook to enhance a vibrant community and multi-faceted tourism economy for the next 20 plus years.
- Roadmap for the Future. The Comprehensive Plan is the City’s principal guide for use in the planning decisions regarding growth, development, and regulation of current and future development within the City limits.
The Branson Comprehensive Plan will contain five elements:
- First, the introduction describes the planning process and intent of the document.
- Second, a community vision that encapsulates the common ground and aspirations of what the residents want the City to be in the future.
- Third, a goals section that specifies objectives collectively set by the Steering Committee, the city and the consultant team to achieve a comprehensive outcome.
- Fourth, policy plans will be organized around key planning areas and key elements of the community such as land use, community character, housing, economic development, tourism, transportation, infrastructure, recreation, culture and historic preservation, health, education, safety and security and governance. For each element, local planning policies and actions are outlined to help the City realize the long-term vision.
- Finally, the implementation chapter outlines specific approaches and tools as well as priorities for the City’s future efforts.
