Establishing a shared community vision.
Guiding future development.
Strategizing land use.

These are critical components of a comprehensive planning process, an effort that produces a long-range guide for land use, housing, parks and open space, economic development and more. Centerville staff members are working with Columbus-based consultants Planning NEXT to craft its new plan.

“This approach allows for planning staff to combine their local knowledge and awareness with a consultant’s professional comprehensive planning expertise. The consultant is responsible for the taskwork associated with the planning process, which allows planning staff more time for strategic initiatives and projects,” Centerville City Planner Ian Vanness said.

Goal 3.1 of Centerville’s 2023 – 2028 Strategic Plan directs staff to create a new comprehensive plan. This presents an exciting opportunity for a community to craft a shared vision for its future that will serve as a foundational long-term planning document.

The City’s previous plan Create the Vision (CTV) was approved by City Council in 2004. In 2022, an Evaluation Committee overwhelmingly recommended that City Council replace CTV with a new plan that better aligns with Centerville’s current development trends and community needs. While a comprehensive plan may guide a community’s vision for up to two decades, it should be updated roughly every five years to account for new development trends and priorities.

City staff members established a Steering Committee to help guide Centerville’s comprehensive planning process. This group will get a front-row seat to building the plan and determining future planning in the city. To be considered, applicants must be a resident of Centerville or work, own property or a business or represent an organization in Centerville and be at least 16 years old. 

“Community engagement is the backbone of any comprehensive plan,” Vanness said.

Creating a new comprehensive plan requires a thorough planning process that takes up to 18 months to complete and includes four phases: (1) preparation, (2) community engagement and input, (3) technical analysis, and (4) plan development.

1. Preparation:

   The planning process starts by collecting existing demographic, housing, employment and economic data as part of an existing conditions analysis. During this phase, the steering committee is formed to build consensus and provide guidance on process and content.

2. Community Engagement and Input:

   This phase is characterized by developing and facilitating a community engagement and input strategy. There will be opportunities for the public to weigh in on the plan through community visioning exercises.

3. Technical Analysis:

   During this phase, information collected during the community engagement and input phases are analyzed to identify community goals. Areas of opportunity and importance are also identified.

4. Plan Development:
   The final phase of the planning process is when the final document layout, style and content are created, including the plan’s maps, charts and infographics. This phase also includes the drafting, review and final adoption process.

“This comprehensive plan will be our city's map, charting a course toward a product we can continue to be proud of. Along with our Strategic Plan, it will help to guide investments and support a vibrant community where residents, businesses and organizations can thrive,” City Manager Wayne Davis said.

Below is the City's previous comprehensive Plan Create the Vision.