Goodman City Council To Vote On Plan Next Month

Goodman City Council members will gather input about the final draft of the comprehensive land use plan at a public meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 16. Council members will vote on the plan at the regular City Council meeting that will follow.

Officials presented the plan to Goodman aldermen on Nov. 28 during a meeting that lasted more than an hour and a half. Aldermen voted to accept the 42-page document, without making any changes.

During her presentation, Jill Cornett, Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council executive director, told aldermen there are several key factors in developing Goodman for the future. Among those issues were economic development, transportation, housing and quality of life.

HSTCC was tasked with submitting a comprehensive land use plan, a "blueprint," for the city. HSTCC officials launched the work earlier this year, conducting surveys, identifying strengths and weaknesses, discussing the possibility of grants and finding additional income. Officials also collected information about Goodman's economy, housing and transportation -- the items that drew the most responses on a recent survey, Cornett said

Cornett presented short-term and long-term goals for aldermen to consider in planning for future growth and developing a stronger economic base.

Economic Development

Cornett suggested aldermen name a task force to explore economic development opportunities, work with neighboring communities to determine where new businesses and industries are best suited, and work with area economic development entities such as Grow Neosho and the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce. Long-term plans include researching the possibility of a sales tax and putting it to a vote, as well as extending sewer and water main lines to certain locations if annexed.

Transportation

Short-term ideas include exploring opportunities for wayfinding signage and other beautification efforts for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and scheduling regular maintenance and repairs to roads with a five- to seven-year capital improvements plan and budget.

For long-term results, Cornett suggested aldermen attend and participate in transportation advisory committee meetings, ask the Missouri Department of Transportation to visit Goodman and discuss where state dollars may address local transportation needs, form a transportation task force to research trends in transportation-related subjects and funding opportunities, review existing transportation tax structures and learn whether additional tax revenues are available for street maintenance and repairs.

Housing

For the short-term, aldermen can consider enforcing existing building and nuisance codes, reviewing codes and zoning ordinances to ensure they meet current needs and desires of citizens and talk to neighboring communities where new homes are being built to learn how they attracted developers.

Long-term, aldermen could consider ideas such as purchasing abandoned or blighted properties and reselling them to potential builders for infill, purchasing vacant land in the comprehensive plan's "residential use" areas and reselling those to potential builders for infill, contracting outside consultants for a housing study to learn what type of housing makes the best sense for Goodman, and working with the local Agency on Aging to discuss possible development of housing units for seniors.

Quality Of Life

Cornett's short-term ideas include inspecting all park grounds and equipment to ensure they are safe and functional, creating a parks advisory board to assist in research and planning, contacting churches and businesses to learn whether they are able and willing to contribute to parks and "quality of life" issues, and contribute to hosting public events such as the orchard festival to attract visitors to the community.

Long-term, Cornett suggested aldermen purchase abandoned and blighted properties and develop small parks, explore opportunities for enhancing ADA-compliant equipment and facilities in park properties and develop opportunities for senior activities, exercises and equipment.

General News on 12/07/2017