— City councilors adopted this week a comprehensive plan that will guide policy decisions during the next 20 years.

The move sets the stage for sweeping changes to Muskogee’s zoning regulations, the next step in what to date has been a two-year process. Planning Director Gary Garvin said a draft of the proposed changes should be completed during the next six months.

The comprehensive plan and land-use map was developed by Houseal Lavigne Associates, a Chicago firm that specializes in urban design and development. The revised draft is the product of several public meetings and vision workshops and a review of an earlier plan adopted in 2003.

Houseal Lavigne also is working with the city to develop the new zoning regulations. The company was paid $95,000 to develop the comprehensive plan and will earn up to $50,000 for its work developing the city’s zoning regulations.

“We wanted to get the comprehensive plan completed first because it states the goals and objectives needed for zoning,” Garvin said. “Ours (zoning regulations) haven’t changed in many ... years. This will reduce the number of zone classifications we have and will make them consistent with most other cities.”

Garvin said new zoning classifications and regulations are “what is needed to make the (comprehensive) plan come to life.” Garvin cited as an example proposals to make Muskogee streets more accessible to pedestrians and bicycles, which he said  would be implemented through the zoning and regulation phase of the project.

“Anything you do here helps you meet the goals and objectives set out in the comprehensive plan,” Garvin said. “I am hoping these committees (that provided input into the development of the plan) will be involved in this part of the process.”

Doug Walton, food and fitness coordinator with the Muskogee County Health Department, advocated for the inclusion of health initiatives in the city comprehensive plan. Walton and others believe implementing the plan will promote those initiatives.

“We believe the most important part of the plan is in its implementation,” Walton said this past week before city councilors adopted the final plan. “The environment we live and work in makes a difference in the choices we make.”

Walton and others said the “complete streets” concept, an expanded trail and sidewalk network, and increased access for pedestrians and cyclists would go a long way to advance healthier lifestyles.

Garvin said as the process progresses, there will be opportunities for public participation in the development of new zoning regulations.

“This will be just the process we used for the comprehensive plan but hopefully not as lengthy,” Garvin said, noting there will be opportunities for public input. “I’m sure there will be lengthy discussions during that process.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot

@muskogeephoenix.com.