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1. What is long range planning?

Long range planning is a strategic process that addresses the needs of a community. Long range planning can be done at a citywide level or for smaller geographic areas.

The planning process involves gathering data, visioning, identifying community issues and goals, examining future trends, developing possible future scenarios, selecting a preferred scenario, and creating an action plan for implementation. Long range planning depends on public input and strives to build consensus around a future vision.

2. What is the purpose of long range planning?

The purpose of long range planning is to provide a blueprint that guides future development and policymaking. Having a long range plan allows a community to be proactive, rather than reactive, in shaping its future. A coordinated planning effort ensures that a community's priorities are reflected in its built environment.

Planning documents can help guide investment in streets, housing stock, and public facilities. Plans can also protect natural resources while directing preferred development to appropriate locations. Along with the City's zoning ordinance, long range plans direct how land can be developed.

3. What is a comprehensive plan?

A comprehensive plan (sometimes called a master plan) is a type of long range plan that has a relatively long time horizon, such as 20 years. It is a document created by and for the entire City that provides a long term vision of the community. The comprehensive plan is prepared with the involvement of many stakeholders, including citizens, property owners, and businesses.

A comprehensive plan includes a consensus-based vision, goals, and objectives, and individual chapters that examine all aspects of a community (for example: land use, transportation, economic development, recreation, sustainability, historic preservation, and urban design.

It can take many months or years to complete a comprehensive plan. Once completed, comprehensive plans are adopted as official policy documents by the local governing body. City of Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan

4. What authority does the comprehensive plan hold?

In Colorado, comprehensive plans are considered advisory documents, meaning they are not legally enforceable. That said, comprehensive plans serve as the basis for adoption of legally enforceable ordinances that shape physical development such as the zoning code and subdivision regulations. In some cases, development proposals may have to demonstrate compliance with comprehensive plans.

5. What are the benefits of planning?

Planning can improve quality of life by guiding change and promoting efficient and orderly use of land. Planning determines where buildings, businesses, homes, and roads will be located. It helps to maintain neighborhood character, reduce environmental impacts, preserve parks and open space, and protect people from natural disasters.

Because planning shapes the built environment, local planning has a direct impact on how you travel and where you live, shop, play or work. Regional planning encourages cooperation among communities and addresses air quality, transit options, and highway networks.

6. What is a subarea plan?

A subarea plan is a type of long range plan that is prepared for a limited geographic area within a community. These can be focused on neighborhoods, corridors, downtowns or special districts. Because of the narrower focus, subarea plans typically encourage a greater level of public participation as compared with a citywide planning process. Subarea plans are generally consistent with a comprehensive plan, but typically provide a higher level of detail in the analysis and recommendations.

The City of Wheat Ridge has adopted several subarea plans.
City of Wheat Ridge Subarea Plans

7. Can plans be revised?

Yes, plans can be revised if needed to address changing circumstances within the community. Any revisions made to plans generally require a public hearing before the governing body. Possible reasons for amending plans include new development opportunities, new infrastructure needs, or a change in community priorities