Hastings seeks public input as it starts developing comprehensive plan

HASTINGS, NE — Hastings is getting to work on its roadmap for the future.

The city kicked off its efforts to build a new comprehensive plan with a public meeting Thursday night. The city hired Marvin Planning Consultants to lead the effort. President Keith Marvin says the plan will offer both a broad and narrow view of the community.

“(We’re) trying to build consensus and bring people together to deal with the different issues that may come forward in the next 10 to 20 years, including things like land use,” Marvin said.

The plan is meant to guide zoning decisions and direct what type of development goes best in certain areas as the city grows. Marvin’s team will study population trends and gather input from the public.

“We’re going to look at what the data tells us, but we also want to sit and listen to what people have to say about the community and what their needs and wants are,” Marvin said.

The consultants are already forming focus groups and are planning big community meetings. The initial push for input will come digitally. The city will post links to a survey and other feedback platforms on its website.

“Ultimately, this is the community’s plan, it’s not my plan, it’s not anybody on our team’s plan," Marvin said. "We have to give the community a plan that they feel comfortable with and that they will be willing to build upon for the next 10, 15, 20 years.”

Marvin hopes to offer the plan to the city council in 14-18 months.