Morton Grove Starting Comprehensive Plan

The village of Morton Grove is working on a Comprehensive Plan, Village Administrator Ryan Horne announced at the Feb. 11 village board meeting.

The plan would be an update of the 1999 Comprehensive Plan, and would reflect the changes in businesses, land owners and occupants, the economy and other factors over the 14 years since that previous plan.

“While there have been updates to the 1999 Comprehensive Plan, the changes in our village over the past five years have been significant,” Horne said.

According to a statement from the village, updating the plan will include:  1) analyzing existing conditions, 2) identifying issues and concerns, 3) establishing a current ‘Vision’ for our community, 4) formulating strategic goals and objectives, 5) preparing community-wide plans for land-use, transportation and community facilities, and 6) developing and evaluating alternative plans and policies for key ‘target areas.’

As part of these efforts, the village is in the process of updating one key aspect of the comprehensive plan – The Industrial Sub-Area Plan. The work is being done through a grant awarded by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). 

CMAP just presented the draft existing conditions report to the Plan Commission and is working on preliminary recommendations.  If you would like to view the report, please go to http://www.mortongroveil.org/calendar/event.asp?EVENT_ID=195&.

According to the statement, an effective strategic plan helps to establish an organization’s short range, mid-range and long term goals.  A thoughtful strategic plan assists in the establishment of an organization’s service priorities which are then used to develop a cohesive vision for the future. 

“We plan on utilizing the development process as a method to engage not only elected officials and department heads in establishing our community’s future, but we also look forward to involving residents, community groups, and businesses in the process,” said Horne.  

The planning process is involved and challenging, but will pay off in accountability and measurable goals, he explained.

Because of the amount of work involved in preparing the plan, Horne is recommending the use of a third party to assist with coordination.

“We plan on consulting with organizations such as the Northwest Municipal Conference in order to determine ‘best practice options’ for completing the project,” he said. 

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