(RILEY COUNTY, KS – July 18, 2023) People who live or work in Riley County are asked to participate in a planning process to direct growth and land use for the next 15 years. A Comprehensive Planning Survey is available on the Riley County website at www.rileycountyks.gov/plan until 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2023. The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete and provides the opportunity for open-ended responses.
To encourage participation, Riley County Planning and Development Department will mail postcards with survey information to a random sample of 350 residents throughout the county. Paper copies of the survey will be available through the Planning and Development Department upon request. Staff will also share links and updates on social media, speak to local media outlets, post flyers, and encourage committee members to share information with friends and neighbors.
“We’re hoping for detailed feedback and a free flow of ideas. Our duty is to help realize the goals and address the needs of people in the county. This is a great opportunity for people to weigh in and tell us how they want the land to be used,” said Riley County Planning and Development Director Amanda Webb.
The current plan, entitled Vision 2025, was adopted in 2009 and includes a strong emphasis on preservation of agricultural land and rural character. The details of the plan are available at www.rileycountyks.gov/vision2025.
The updated comprehensive plan will represent the vision and priorities of the Riley County community members who participate. It will include goals, policies, and objectives that influence local planning efforts. The goals will be implemented through updates to codes and regulations and will impact the day-to-day decisions of local elected officials and government staff.
“A comprehensive plan acts as a guide for how land should be used to meet the needs and desires of the community. Great communities don’t happen by accident, you have to plan for the future,” said Webb.
Planning efforts will be guided by a volunteer group of community members who represent different interests and locations in the county. Riley County staff will facilitate the process by scheduling and hosting meetings, posting information to the Riley County website and social media platforms, and compiling results. The final plan will be presented to the Riley County Board of County Commissioners for approval by the end of 2024.
A list of the committee members will be posted on the Riley County website in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in joining the committee should contact Planning & Development Director Amanda Webb at 785-537-6332.